Somerset Inquests and Murders 1825-1830 - South West England ...

Somerset Inquests and Murders 1825-1830 

January 5 th 1825 

Inquests recently holden by Mr Caines of Langport. 

At Wivliscombe, on Sarah Carpenter, aged about 20. It appeared in evidence at the 

inquest, before a jury composed of 15 respectable inhabitants, that the deceased, on 

the 1 st instant, called in a medical gentleman of the town, to whom she complained of 

violent pains in the stomach and back. She acknowledged being in the family way, 

and an opiate was given, which afforded temporary relief. Some time afterwards, 

deceased was seized with vomiting and other strong indicative symptoms of her 

having taken something poisonous. On the 2 nd , (Sunday) she became convulsed and 

speechless, and in the evening expired. Mr Sully, surgeon, had seen the deceased on 

Sunday, and he gave directions, that as soon as she was dead, he should be informed 

of it, that he might endeavour to save the infant, which was accordingly attempted by 

the Caesarean operation; but the child also was dead. Mr Sully gave it as his opinion 

that the deceased had taken some poisonous substance. Deceased was an unhappy 

prostitute. The jury returned a verdict, “That the deceased died from the effects of 

some poisonous vegetable; but how, when, or by whom administered, they had no 

evidence.” It is an extraordinary circumstance, that during the time Mr Sully was 

delivering his evidence, he was called out to visit the child of the deceased, who was 

visited with precisely similar symptoms to those of her mother, and who declared that 

she had been unwell in her stomach ever since the deceased gave her liquorice, two 

days before. She had an emetic administered, which, for the present, has alleviated her 

sufferings. 

At Knowle St Giles, near Chard, on Jeremiah Farthing, a pauper, late of Donyatt, 

near Ilminster. Deceased was well known in the neighbourhood, as a common beggar, 

and was missing from the 15 th to the 30 th ult. when he was discovered, drowned, in 

one of the carriage gutters of a water meadow near Iley Water. Verdict, “Found 

Drowned.” 

At Brompton Regis, near Dulverton, on John Davey, aged 65, whose death was most 

awfully sudden. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.” 


On Wednesday night, as Mr Collier, chandler of Keynsham, was on his return home 

from attending the Wells sessions, he was drowned in the river near his house; he was 

highly respected. It is supposed the horse got out of his depth in attempting to drink. 


Inquests recently holden by Mr Caines 

At Dulverton, on Thomas Hutchings, aged 38. The deceased, who was a carpenter, 

had been working for a gentleman, who promised him and two others that, if they 

were expeditious, when they had finished their work, he would give them some 

liquor; and on the completion he gave them three quarts of cyder, into which was 

thrown about half a pint of rum. Hutchings, who was very fond of liquor, having 

drunk more than his share, became much intoxicated, and the following morning was 

found dead. Verdict, Died from excessive Drinking. 

At Bishop’s Hull, on Emma Long, aged two years, whose death was occasioned by 

upsetting over her a cup of tea, which had just been poured out. Verdict, Accidental 

Death. 

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At Cannington, on James Mason, aged 48. The deceased was discharged from the 

Marine Service about eight years since, and has subsequently lost his faculties. He 

went to bed in apparent good health, and the next morning was found dead, lying on 

his back by the bed-side. Notwithstanding the Inquest was holden on the day 

following, the body was quite black and offensive. Verdict, Died from suffocation, 

but not from any violent means. 

On Wednesday week, and inquest was holden before Mr Uphill, Coroner, and a very 

respectable jury, on the body of Dorcas, daughter of Mr Holman, schoolmaster, of 

Crewkerne. It appeared in evidence that the deceased, aged twelve years had been in 

the habit of going every day to the house of a relation to assist in domestic affairs; that 

a few days previous to her being absent a bank note was lost by the above-mentioned 

relative, and as he suspected the girl had some knowledge of it, he took an opportunity 

to declare in her hearing that he had seen the conjuror, who said a young person had 

it, and if not returned in a given time she would be subject to a transmigration! or 

some other horrible misfortune. Whether these assertions carried conviction to the 

heart of the child it is utterly out of our power to say; but shortly afterwards she was 

missing, and after nine days’ fruitless search, her body was found in a well in her 

father’s garden. Verdict, Found Drowned. The circumstance has excited a more than 

ordinary degree of astonishment among the inhabitants of Crewkerne, and we trust it 

will be a caution to many how they exhibit the scarecrow of conjuration and witchery 

for the purpose of extorting confessions, which, under the influence of fear, may 

cause their victims to “see appall’d the unreal scene,” and hurry them away to acts of 

madness and desperation. 

February 9 th 1825 

Inquests by Mr Caines of Langport. 

An inquest was holden at Porlock on Saturday last, on the body of Andrew Moffat, 

aged 23, a native of Dumfries, and a hawker of teas. The deceased was addicted to 

drinking of spirits, and having met with a farmer’s boy on Wednesday, the third 

instant, they both drank brandy to such an excess, (of which liquor the deceased had a 

supply in his pocket) that the boy fell asleep and on his return home related what had 

occurred. The next day a person who had been sent in search of a mule which the boy 

had been riding, discovered the deceased lying in the road quite dead, at a place called 

Home-bush Lane. Some parcels of tea were found near the deceased, and about £7 

was found in his pocket. Verdict, “Died by the combined effects of intoxication and 

inclemency of the weather. 

At Over Stowey, on a child named John Coles, aged two years, who unfortunately 

drank some boiling water out of a tea kettle. The mother was present, and the accident 

happened in the few moments in which her back was towards the child. Verdict, 

“Accidental death”. 

At Pitminster, on Monday last, upon a child aged two years, named Frederick 

Luttley, who was burnt to death by his clothes taking fire, in the absence of his 

mother. Verdict, “Accidental death”. 

At Ruishton, on Mrs Elizabeth Brown, aged 74. It appeared, that in the absence of a 

servant, whom the deceased had sent on an errand, her clothes caught fire, and she 

was discovered upon her hands and knees, crawling out of the doorway, but burnt in 

so dreadful a manner, that she expired on the following morning. Verdict, “Accidental 

death.” 

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At Bridgwater, on Mary Goodrich, who, on alighting from a timber carriage, during 

its progress through the town, unfortunately fell, and the wheels passing over her 

body, she was killed on the spot. Verdict, “Accidental death.” 

February 23 rd 1825 

An inquest was holden yesterday, by Mr Caines at Luckham nr Minehead, on the 

body of Wm Vaulter, aged 4 years. It appears that on Thursday last, in the absence of 

its mother, the childs clothes caught fire, and he was so dreadfully burnt, that his 

death took place on the following day. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

March 2 nd 1825 

Sudden Death 

An inquest was holden on the 16 th ult by Mr Caines of Langport, at Luxborough (a 

parish belonging to Sir T B Lethbridge, Bart, near Dunster, on the body of Wm 

Edwards, aged 71. The deceased had recently returned to the village, from the 

employ of Sir Hugh Smith, in whose park he had long resided, and on the day of his 

death he went to church. In the church-yard he met his brother, whom he had not seen 

for twelve years. After a few questions, the deceased asked his brother if he could tell 

him in what part of the church-yard his uncle and aunt lay. The brother replied 

affirmatively, and pointed out the spot; immediately on which, the deceased fell to the 

ground, and instantly died without a groan! Died by the visitation of God. 

April 6 th 1825 

Inquests held by Mr Caines 

Tuesday se’nnight, on Mary White, aged 11 years, daughter of Mr Joseph White 

builder, in Upper High Street, who, on the preceding Friday received a severe blow by 

the falling of a piece of timber from a cart which was carelessly unloading, of which 

injury the child died on the Monday following. The Coroner and Jury reprobated the 

conduct of the men employed in unloading the cart, and a deodand accordingly, was 

adjudged upon the cartload, to the value of £3. 

At Wellington, on Thomas Alway, an elderly man, who, while employed in lopping 

an elm tree, and standing on a ladder for that purpose, one of the branches fell against 

the ladder with such force as to throw him on the ground, and he received so violent a 

contusion on the back of his head, that his death ensued on the following day. 

At Bishop’s Lydeard, on Jas. Pearce, aged three years, who, on Tuesday se’nnight, 

having strayed away from his parents, fell into a pond and was drowned. Verdict in 

each case, Accidental Death. 

At Wiveliscombe, on Betty Wring, aged 60, who, in a fit of insanity, drowned herself 

at a place called Hartwell, near that town. It appeared in evidence, that the deceased 

had been getting into a diseased state of mind for some time – that on Tuesday 

se’nnight, her husband, very unfeelingly, tied her with cords to the bed, and left her 

alone, while he went to an ale house; on his return, the neighbours were in search of 

her, and found her in the well above mentioned. Verdict, Lunacy. 

Saturday evening, as Mr Jas Golledge, saddler of Midsomer Norton was returning 

home from Bath, his horse suddenly took fright and he was thrown with such violence 

that his skull was fractured and he died on the spot. 


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On Wednesday afternoon, as a young man was driving a cart load of coals into Wells, 

the horses took fright on the steep part of the hill, at the entrance of the city, by the 

new piece of road. The boy caught hold of the wheel horse, and endeavoured to stop 

him, but was overpowered, knocked down, and crushed to death on the spot by the 

wheel of the cart passing over him. The load was 30 hundred weight. He was a very 

worthy young man, and laboured hard to support a blind, aged parent. 

Bridgwater. 

A shocking crime has been committed in the parish of Durleigh near this town; the 

circumstances are as follow: about a week since, Mr Parker, surgeon of this town, 

was sent to attend a woman at Durleigh; on his arrival he found her exceedingly ill, 

having been very lately confined; on being interrogated who attended her, she said no 

one, and on enquiring for the child , she stated that it was safely buried in the church 

yard. This of course led to a further investigation by the parish officers and the 

woman who came for the surgeon was taken into custody, but nothing could be 

elicited from her. The neighbours of the unfortunate woman stated that they observed 

the day previous to this circumstance being known, a large fire which was kept up for 

many hours in her house. On Sunday morning last, she sent for the surgeon, and stated 

to him that she had actually burnt her child, which she said was dead born. No vestige 

of the infant has been discovered, and it is supposed that it was reduced to ashes by its 

unnatural mother, who affirms that no other person was present at the transaction. 


Inquests 

At Blagdon, on Geo Kingman, who died in consequence of falling from a cart while 

in a state of intoxication. 

At Wells, on Wm Higgins, who was killed by his cart going over him, on his return 

from a coal pit. 

At Mells, on Joseph Denning who incautiously proceeded to work in Vebster Marsh 

Coal pit without safety lamps and the foul air exploding, he was dreadfully burnt as to 

cause his death. 

At Widcombe, on a man unknown found drowned in one of the locks. 

At Burnham, on a child named Purnell, found drowned in a ditch. 

At Walcot, on Mary Ann Philput, whose death was suspected to have been 

occasioned by her taking poison, but it proved to have arisen from a disease in the 

stomach. 

At Bedminster, on Geo Yates, aged ten years, who was killed by the accidental 

discharge of a gun in his own hands. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

On Thursday last, a fine child, three years of age, named Parker, in the absence of its 

parents, fell into the River Tone, which flows behind their house, at Tangiers, and, 

before assistance arrived, was carried down the stream as far as the Town Mills, 

where, in half an hour, it was taken up a corpse. 

May 4 th 1825 

Inquests recently held by Mr Caines of Langport. 

At Whitestaunton, on James Goldworthy of Yarcombe, aged 40, who on the morning 

of Monday se’nnight, about five o’clock, was found dead in the turnpike road, near 

the bridge which divides the counties of Somerset and Devon. This case excited much 

interest in the neighbourhood, and the investigation lasted a considerable time, in 

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consequence of suspicion attaching to a man named Spiller, from his having had a 

quarrel with the deceased on the preceding evening. The parties, with several other 

disorderly persons, had been tippling at a public house at Westhay, in the parish of 

Combe St Nicholas; the deceased left that house at about half past eight o’clock in 

company with a woman of loose character, and about half a mile on the turnpike road 

towards Honiton the quarrel and a sort of scuffle took place. Previous to half past ten, 

the woman and the deceased were seen by three different persons, at different times, 

near the spot where he was found. From the evidence of the woman it appeared that 

although they were going within a very short distance of each other’s homes, she left 

the deceased about eleven o’clock by the side of the road, complaining of headache, 

but that he desired her to go home saying he should be better, and would soon follow 

her. Messrs Gillett and Rich, surgeons, attended the inquest, and; on examining the 

head found a considerable quantity of extravacated blood, there appeared also a slight 

contusion on the back of the head; they, however, gave it as their opinion, that the 

contusion had not in any way caused the rupture of the vessel on the brain, and that 

the man died of apoplexy. Verdict, Died of apoplexy, or other visitation of God, and 

not from violence. 

At Dulverton, on John Lewis, aged 60, a native of Southmolton. The deceased on his 

way from Southmolton to Dulverton, was overtaken by the hostler of the White Hart 

Inn, in the latter town with a gig. They proceeded together until they arrived at the top 

of the hill leading into the town, at which place, from the plash-board bearing against 

the back of the horse he became unmanageable and set off at full speed down the hill. 

When about midway, the hostler leaped out, and in so doing received two violent 

bruises; the deceased was carried towards the direction post, when the gig coming in 

contact with a post, the shafts broke, and the deceased was thrown on the ground 

whereby he received a concussion of the brain, which terminated his existence the 

following day. Verdict, Accident, and a deodand of 20s on the horse. 

At Wells, on James Pickford, of Glastonbury, aged 70. The deceased had had a 

dispute with a person named Emery, respecting a donkey, and had been before the 

Mayor, when the business was settled by Emery paying him 10s. After this, Pickford 

followed Emery down the street, and placed himself against a wall opposite the house 

of the latter, where he swore horribly and in moving from thence, still uttering 

dreadful imprecations, he fell to the ground and died instantly – Verdict, Died by the 

visitation of God. 

The woman at Durleigh, near Bridgwater, whose name we understand to be Burnell, 

who was said to have burnt her newly born babe, has been committed to Wilton 

House of Correction, charged only with concealing its birth, no evidence being 

adduced, in her examination before the Magistrates, to support the charge of burning. 


Execution. 

On Wednesday, the 27 th ult, the following prisoners were executed at the new drop at 

Ilchester, persuant to their sentences at the late Assizes for the county of Somerset; - 

Samuel Blanning and Henry York for highway robbery; Phineas Radford, for 

sheep stealing; and John Gill and John Willmott for horse stealing; the eldest of 

whom was only 28 years of age. It is said that one of these young men had property to 

the amount of £700, left him between the period of his condemnation and that of his 

execution. 

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On Monday last at Wiveliscombe, on the body of Elizabeth Baker Staddon, aged 10 

years, who being employed, on Wednesday last, in lighting a fire at her mother’s 

house, her clothes became in a blaze, and she was seen in the street completely 

enveloped in flames. The neighbours assisted in extinguishing the fire; but she was so 

shockingly burnt, that after lingering in the Infirmary until Friday last, the unfortunate 

sufferer expired. Verdict, Accidental Death. The deceased was one of the pupils of the 

Sunday School, and her interment was very affectingly attended by all the children of 

the Institution, mostly in mourning, together with several of the ladies and patrons of 

the school. 

On the same day, at Skilgate, on the body of Frances Marsh, an elderly woman, who, 

after taking some tea and cake, of which she ate heartily, and while in the act of rising 

to retire to bed, fell down and instantly expired. Verdict. Died by the Visitation of 

God. 

And on Saturday se’nnight, on John Ellis, aged 42, who was accidentally killed by a 

tree falling on him in Colborne Wood, about five miles from Porlock. It appeared in 

evidence that the deceased, with many other persons, had been employed in ripping 

bark, and was returning home through the wood where some labourers were felling 

timber; and that he was cautioned by more than one of them, but still continuing in the 

way, a tree fell on him, and crushed him so dreadfully, that he expired instantly. 

Verdict “Accidental Death.” 


Short Honey Moon 

On Friday last, Mr Henry Taunton, of Walcot, the youth, aged 95! Whose marriage 

we noticed in our Journal of the 25 th of April last, was brought before the magistrates 

by a constable, who prevented him cutting his throat on the evening preceding. It 

appeared that his bride had expressed a determination to separate from him, which so 

affected the youthful husband that he formed the rash resolution of putting a period to 

his life and love at one stroke. It was truly ludicrous to see how earnestly he begged 

his inexorable bride to return to his embraces, while she as firmly persisted never 

more to admit him to her bed – Bath Journal. 

Lamentable Occurrence. 

On Tuesday week, the York House Coach from Bath to Oxford was upset. The 

coachman had drawn up at the summit of a sharp hill going out of Swindon, for the 

purpose of having the wheel dragged, when unfortunately the pole of the carriage 

touched the flank of one of the leaders, which began kicking, and afterwards set off at 

a furious rate down the hill. In descending, the coach was overturned, and we regret to 

announce that Lieut Thos Mayris RN (a gentleman well known and highly esteemed 

in Bath,) was thrown from his seat, had his thigh broken in a dreadful manner, and 

was otherwise so much injured that he only survived till three o’clock next morning: 

another of the passengers was seriously bruised, and one of the horses killed on the 

spot. 

A boy, 14 years of age, fell from the shafts of a cart which he was driving on the 

Wellington road, near the White Ball Inn, on Monday, and the wheel of another cart 

(with which he was contending in a race) passing over his head, he was killed on the 

spot. 


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At Bradford, near this town, on Henry Harding, aged 37; on Thursday last, deceased 

who was subject to fits, was employed in agricultural labour, and on his wife going to 

him with his dinner, she discovered him lying in a ditch, his head sunk in mud and the 

body nearly covered with water. The distressed woman procured assistance and 

deceased was taken out a corpse. Verdict, Subject to fits, found drowned and 

suffocated. 

At Hatch Beauchamp, on Mr Samuel Hurley, a farmer, who had been to Chard 

market, and on his return from thence, with his grandson, fell from his pony, on the 

Forest of Neroche, and instantly died. The deceased was a very old and feeble man, 

and for a long time had been subject to giddiness. Verdict, died by the visitation of 

God. 

At Hinton Saint George, on a newly born infant found floating on the surface of a mill 

pond at the factory of Messrs Hayward and Son. The child was wrapt up in a piece of 

linen cloth and part of an old red cloak, both of which had the appearance of having 

belonged to some of the lower orders of society, but no well grounded suspicion 

existed as to who was the mother, nor was there any proof that the child had been 

born alive and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. 

At Wells, on Frederick Ferrish, aged six years, who had been employed with 

another child in giving hay to two horses, which were standing in the street with a 

loaded cart, they suddenly moved forward, and the near wheel passing over his body, 

he was instantly killed. Verdict, Accidental Death – Deodand on the wheel, ten 

shillings. The Coroner strongly recommended the father of the child to punish the 

driver, who had suffered the cart to remain in the street upwards of an hour, without 

any person in care of the horses except the two infants alluded to. 

Fatal Nuptuals. 

Thursday, an inquest was taken by Peter Layng esq on the body of Henry Taunton, 

who died the Wednesday morning preceding, from the injury he received from being 

pushed down the steps at the bottom of Walcot parade, Bath, by his wife. Thus have 

we within the space of one short month, had to record the marriage of this couple, at 

the youthful age of 95 and 57 – the husband being taken before the magistrate for 

attempting to kill himself, through despair at his unfortunate marriage – and now his 

actual death, inflicted by the violence of his wife. The verdict was manslaughter, and 

the Coroner accordingly committed the virago widow to Shepton Mallet Gaol, to take 

her trial at the next Assizes, the overseer of the parish being bound over to prosecute 

her. 

A young man engaged as a gardener at Sandhill Park, the seat of Sir T Lethbridge 

bart, on Monday night last fell down the cellar stairs, by which accident his neck was 

dislocated, and he expired in a few minutes. 

June 1 st 1825 

Murder – Considerable consternation has been excited in this city this morning by the 

discovery of a murder which has been perpetrated by some person or persons 

unknown. Early this morning a young man’s attention was arrested by something 

against the bank by the river side near Dolmead, which on examining it, proved to be 

a sack containing the body of a man in a state of nudity. On the left breast was a cut 

extending some inched downwards, and below it a stab which had perforated the 

heart. Several other marks of violence appear in various parts of the body, which is 

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now undergoing examination. In the bottom of the sack, which was securely fastened 

was found a stone; the body has not yet been identified – Bath and Cheltenham 

Gazette. 

An inquest was held by Mr Caines, on Wednesday last at Sandhill Park, the seat of Sir 

T B Lethbridge, bart on Thomas Doran, the gardener, aged 28, a native of Ireland 

who was found dead the preceding morning, in a passage leading to the cellar – of 

which some particulars were given in our last. It appeared in evidence that the 

deceased had been passing the evening with some friends, and did not reach home till 

about midnight, when the doors were all fastened; the deceased, however, got into a 

room, of which he kept the key, by lifting up the sash of the window. Having got to 

the bottom of the stairs, he pulled off his shoes, probably to avoid disturbing his 

fellow servants, and afterwards, having proceeded towards the cellars, where he 

himself had one allotted for keeping liquor, he accidentally fell down the steps and by 

that means came to his untimely end. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

June 15 th 1825 


On Monday last, at Bathpool Inn, near this town, on William Major, shoemaker, 

aged 48. It appeared in evidence, that on the 3d instant, the deceased was riding on 

horseback on the turnpike road, at a short distance from his own house, and, being 

overcome with liquor, he fell off the horse, and became insensible. At first it was 

supposed he was suffering from the influence of liquor, but, medical aid being called 

in, it was discovered that the brain was seriously injured. From the moment the 

accident happened to his death, he appeared to have lost all sense of feeling, and the 

power of articulation, except answering merely yes or no, and he died on the eighth 

day. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

Bridgwater. 

On Sunday last, as some little boys were bathing in a pond near this town, one of them 

not being a swimmer, unfortunately ventured beyond his depth and was drowned. 

June 22 nd 1825 

W Taylor, a mason’s labourer, fell from a scaffold, in North Town, on Monday 

afternoon last, and was so dreadfully injured, that although he was taken to the 

Taunton and Somerset Hospital in the town, where he had the very best attention, he 

survived but a few minutes. He has left two children and a widow unhappily near her 

confinement and in distressing circumstances. The deceased bore an excellent 

character, and was well known throughout the Minehead and Dunster road, having , 

until lately, carried the bags of the mail in that district. 

July 13 th 1825 

On Thursday last, as John Baker was returning home from this town to Hemiock 

with a load of coal, the waggon upset at Blagdon Hill and the contents falling on him, 

killed him on the spot. An inquest having been held on the body before the coroner. 

(Mr Caines) the jury brought in a verdict of Accidental Death. We understand that the 

deceased bore an excellent character and was greatly esteemed by his master, Mr R 

Farrant, of Hemiock. He was only 20 years of age, and although the fatal accident 

unquestionably happened from his having drunk too much at North town Fair, and 

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eing asleep in the cart when it upset, he was never previously known to have been 

intoxicated. 


An inquest was held yesterday, in East Street, in this town, by Mr Caines of Langport, 

on the body of Maria Incledon, a child three years of age, who was severely burnt on 

the 24 th June last, by her clothes taking fire. The poor little sufferer lingered until 

Sunday last, when she expired. The father of the child is an industrious man but is 

singularly unfortunate in his domestic life – having only one child now surviving out 

of seven, and she disabled from work by an infirmity in her hand and the mother 

being obliged for many years past to keep her bed. 

Inquests – On John James, servant to Mr Keel of Rickford whose back was broken in 

consequence of falling from a load of hay on a barton wall. 

At Poulton on Jas Phillips who was also killed by falling from a load of hay. 

At Stanton Drew, on John Himan who expired suddenly in a field. 

At Beckington, on John Debman, whose death was occasioned by falling down the 

stairs of a malt house. 

At Frome Selwood, on Wm Greatwood, aged 90, who fell off a ladder. 

At Burton, on Martin Frampton, found drowned. 

At Evercreech, on John Ridout, discovered in a lime kiln, completely roasted, it is 

supposed he went on the kiln to sleep, in order to be in readiness to proceed to the 

coal pit early in the morning and must have rolled in. It was rumoured that deceased 

was afraid of returning to his father’s house, for fear of ill treatment; but after a 

minute investigation, no such thing could be proved. Verdict, Accidental Death. 


On Wednesday last, a fine youth, about 13 years of age, nephew of Mr Westover, of 

this town, was found drowned in the stream that runs through Pole’s field, opposite 

the Crescent. It is supposed that in bathing his feet, which were the only parts of his 

body uncovered, whilst sitting in a forward position he lost his balance and fell into 

the water, from which, though not deep, he could not extricate himself, and that he 

had been in that situation nearly two hours when the discovery took place. Immediate 

recourse was had to the proper remedies, but without effect. An inquest was held by 

Mr Caines of Langport, and a verdict returned of Accidental Death. 


On Saturday se’nnight a boy, named Wm Jenkins, 12 years of age, and another aged 

8, named Wm Symes, of Stanton Drew, with two other boys, went into the River 

Chew, near Pensford, to bathe, and having got out of their depth, Jenkins and Symes 

were unfortunately drowned. Verdicts, Accidentally Drowned. 

At Ilminster on Charles Wills, aged 40. The deceased had for some time been 

suffering from an abscess, which had recently caused an aberration of mind; on 

Wednesday morning, about four o’clock, it was discovered that he had risen from his 

bed, and gone towards Mr Hanning’s pond, in Dillington Park, where the body was 

found in ten feet depth of water. Verdict, Drowned himself while suffering temporary 

derangement. 

An inquest was held by Mr Caines, on Monday last, at Fiddington, near Stowey, on T 

Morris, aged 77. Deceased had drunk freely of some cyder a few days before his 

death and some of his neighbours foolishly imputed his decease to the liquor having 

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een poisoned. He had before been in an ill state of health, and was attended by a 

medical gentleman. The body was opened by Messrs White and King, and not the 

slightest reason for the alleged suspicion appearing, the Jury returned a verdict, “Died 

by the Visitation of God. 

August 10 th 1825 

Shocking Accident. 

On Tuesday se’nnight, a man named Daniel Nethercott, aged 24, being employed 

about a rick at Webb’s Mill, at Roadwater, in the parish of Old Cleeve, was sent by 

his master, Mr Binden, for a rail or post, to place against the rick; and when in the act 

of lifting up the rail, he fell head foremost into the water wheel of the mill, which was 

then in motion; at the same time the rail fell in the same direction, and both together 

stopped the wheel, one arm of which was found resting upon the poor man’s thighs, 

which were jammed between the wheel and the side-wall of the cistern. He was taken 

out in a dying state, and almost instantly expired. An inquest has been held on the 

body by Mr Caines of Langport. Verdict, Accidental Death. 


Hannah Taunton was indicted for killing and slaying Henry Taunton, at Bath, on 

the 18 th May last. Mr Gunning opened the case and called Eliz Smith – I know the 

prisoner; I saw her about 9 o’clock on the 15 th of May, on Walcot Parade, with the 

deceased; they were walking side by side; he was an old man, he appeared to be very 

weak; I heard the prisoner call the deceased, a d—d son of a b—h; deceased made no 

reply; they were going down the steps, towards the London road; there were two 

flights of steps; I was about two yards from them when they were at the steps; I heard 

Mr Taunton say to the prisoner “you go first”, the prisoner said “you go first”; 

deceased went to step down, and the prisoner pushed him on the back; deceased fell 

on his head, and then turned over on his back; I asked her what she did it for; the 

prisoner made no answer; I saw some blood; deceased appeared sensible; I asked him 

if he was hurt, and he said, “Oh, my head” Deceased fell all down the first flight of 

steps; I saw a little bruise on his head; deceased lay about a quarter of an hour, and 

then other persons came to him. Wm Hawkins – I am a tythingman of Walcot; I went 

to the deceased at the request of the prisoner about 9 o’clock on the 17 th ; she came 

twice to ask me to go down, for her husband was very ill; I saw deceased and prisoner 

together; deceased shook his head, and said, “I am very bad; that woman, my wife, is 

the cause of it; I am dying.” I moved the clothes back from the bed, and at his request 

I moved his head; deceased said, “That woman, my wife, is the cause of this; she 

pushed me down Walcot steps, Saturday night, and I shall never forgive her.” 

Deceased asked me to raise his head, for he was dying; the prisoner did not appear 

deaf; deceased asked me to get him something to moisten his lips; I said it was a great 

pity two old people like then could not live comfortably without making a 

disturbance; I told the prisoner to get something to moisten his lips; the prisoner said 

it was no use, for if she gave him one thing he wanted another; deceased said he was 

dying for want of something to moisten his lips, and asked me for something to raise 

his head. I went home; I was at my shop next morning, and the prisoner came and 

said, “well Mr Hawkins, he’s gone,” I said, “what do you mean?” She replied, “he is 

dead.” She said she must go to the overseers to get a coffin to bury him; the prisoner 

said that it was half past five o’clock that he died; this was on the 18 th ; deceased told 

me on the Friday before he was about ninety years old, and his wife fifty nine; there 

are about fourteen or fifteen steps altogether, and a landing between, about four or 

10

five feet square. Cross examined. I knew the prisoner three weeks before this 

happened; I have known the deceased about the same time. There had been 

disturbances with them before. Henry Stallard corroborated the foregoing evidence. 

George Bowden, in the prisoner’s defence, deposed that he had known her many 

years. She bore a good character ever since he knew her. Mr Mansford, examined. O 

am a surgeon at Bath – I saw deceased on the 15 th of May; deceased was sitting on a 

step; he was carried home; he had a bruise on his forehead and a little blood; I 

examined him, and found many bruises on his chest and other parts of the body; I did 

not consider him dangerous then; the deceased said very little about it, he was not 

then perfectly sensible; I was called to open the body on the 18 th , about nine o’clock; 

there was no internal injury corresponding with the external marks; there was a small 

quantity of serum within the ventricles of the brain; that was the only unhealthy 

appearance; I did not think either of the bruises the cause of his death separately; but 

considering his age and infirmity, collectively, the general shock of the system was 

sufficient to shorten his life. Cross examined. I believe the cut on his forehead did not 

shorted his life. It is my opinion that the accident was the cause of his death; I can’t 

swear that the fright alone would not have killed him. Re-examined. He would not 

have lived long; but I do not think he would have died at that time, if the accident had 

not happened. Mr Justice Littledale summed up, and the Jury returned a verdict of 

Guilty. the prisoner was sentenced to six months imprisonment. 


On Monday last, an inquest was held at Wiveliscombe, by Mr Caines of Langport on 

Thomas Pearce aged 50, who died suddenly on the Saturday preceding. Deceased 

was by trade a weaver, and on Friday he worked at the loom, and he ate his meals as 

usual. He went to bed with his son at about nine o’clock without making any 

complaint whatever; about two in the morning the son heard his father groan and he 

died instantly. Verdict, Died by the visitation of God. 

August 31 st 1825 

As Wm Carter of Pitminster, nearly 80 years of age, was returning home through 

Blagdon, on Friday night last, he was ridden over by some person on horseback, and 

expired in a few minutes after. 

September 21 st 1825 

Bridgwater 

On Tuesday last, as a poor fruit woman of the name of Jane Rowe, was walking 

down St Mary Street, she suddenly fell, and on being taken to her home, immediately 

expired. It was of the opinion of the medical gentleman, who was called in, that the 

shock occasioned by the fall, was the cause of her death. 

September 28 th 1825 


At Bathealton, near Wiveliscombe, on Robert Cording, aged 37, late of Huish 

Champflower, farmer, and Ann, his wife, aged 29. At the inquest the following 

evidence was given – That Mrs Cording, until the last twelve months had been very 

attentive to all her respective duties, and conducted herself in every respect as she 

ought to do; at the same time she was rather of a religious turn of mind, and since that 

period she had become a follower of a sect (by some called Ranters, and by others 

Bryanites) and that, in consequence of their preaching and doctrines, the poor, 

11

deluded woman had become deranged. It was also proved that she had been in such a 

state as to render it necessary to send her to an asylum, about three weeks since, from 

which, however, she escaped in a few days, and returned to her mother’s house at 

Bathealton; that, on Tuesday se’nnight, her husband went there to see her, when, after 

some conversation, she fled from him, and threw herself into the newly made fish 

pond of Thos Wentworth Gould esq. The husband was close in his pursuit, and 

plunged in almost immediately after, but was unable to rescue her, and, melancholy to 

relate, they were both drowned in about eight feet of water! Verdicts – That the wife 

drowned herself when in a state of mental derangement, and that the husband was 

accidentally drowned in his endeavours to rescue her. 

At Porlock, on Wm Perkins, and old man-of-wars’ man, who fell dead in the road 

where he was employed in breaking stones. He was cheerful, a minute before, and 

apparently quite well. 

At Tatworth, near Chard, on Saturday last, upon John Perham, aged 40. This poor 

man was employed, the preceding Thursday, in a quarry, drawing stones for a lime 

kiln, when, having undermined to too great an extent, the head of the pit fell upon 

him, and killed him on the spot. Verdict – Accidental Death. 

October 12 th 1825 

Yesterday, an inquest was held by Mr Caines of Langport, at Wiveliscombe, on 

James Sellick, aged 42, a labourer in the employ of Mr Hancock, brewer, of that 

place. The deceased had been engaged in lowering a cask into a cellar, the weight of 

which having preponderated, he was precipitated beneath, and received a concussion 

of the brain which occasioned his death. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

October 19 th 1825 


On Saturday last, on the body of Mr James Gibbs, of Bishop’s Lydeard, aged 56, 

who was found drowned in a pool opposite the garden of the King’s Arms Inn, at 

North town, Taunton. Deceased left a party, with which he had been spending a social 

evening in this town, at a little after twelve, and the horse, in his impatience to drink, 

it is supposed, rushed into the water, and, unseating his rider, occasioned him to fall 

into the water, where he was suffocated. Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

On Thursday, at Ellington Heath, on a child named Jane Trott, aged two years, who 

having strayed from her parents, was found drowned in a ditch. Verdict, Accidental 

Death. 

On Friday, at High Ham, on Thomas Farrow, aged 42, who, while in a cider house 

(being subject to fits) fell into a vat of apple juice, and was found drowned. Verdict, 

Accidental Death. 

On the same day, on the body of Susan Pavey, a child about three years of age, the 

daughter of a widow at Coombe St Nicholas, near Chard, who, on the preceeding 

Monday, having been left alone by her mother for a short time, it is supposed, while in 

the act of roasting apples, approached so near the fire as to ignite her apparel. Her 

screams brought in the neighbours, who extinguished the flames, and quickly 

procured medical assistance; but the little creature was so much burnt, that she 

expired in the course of the evening. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

It is a singular coincidence, that, on the same day and about the same hour the above 

accident took place, a child, also the daughter of a widow, should have been burnt to 

death, almost under similar circumstances, at Stockland, a village not more than six 

miles from Coombe St Nicholas. 

12

November 9 th 1825 

Inquests. 

An inquest was held by Mr Caines, of Langport on Saturday last, upon the body of 

John Brown, about two years of age, son of George Brown, painter, Burton Square, 

in this town, who was so dreadfully scalded on the preceding Wednesday, by 

upsetting a washing pan of clothes and water upon himself, in the absence of the 

washer woman, that the poor little creature lingered in great agony till Friday 

morning, when he expired. 

At Banwell, on Enoch Hemmers, aged two years, who died in consequence of 

drinking boiling water out of a tea kettle. 

At Long Ashton, on Elizabeth Tucker, whose death was occasioned by her clothes 

taking fire. 

At Bath on two infants, whose death was occasioned by the error of a druggist, in 

making up a prescription, who, instead of one twelfth of a grain of opium, put in three 

grains. Verdict, in each case, Accidental Death. 



At Tatworth, near Chard, on John Nodder, aged 30, who was discovered in a lime 

kiln, in a state singularly shocking, his lower extremities, and body to the first rib, 

being consumed by the fire. In this horrid condition he was found by the kilnman on 

Wednesday morning, whose attention was attracted to the spot by observing a dog 

belonging to a fellow labourer, which occasionally remained at the kiln during the 

night, looking steadfastly on the mutilated remains. The deceased was a poacher, and 

in the habit of drinking to excess, and, the preceding night having been very wet, it is 

conjectured he went to the kiln (which had a covering) for warmth and shelter’ His 

coat and hat were found at a little distance. It appeared that he left his lodgings at 

Tatworth, on the preceding Monday, under pretence of going to Axminster, and was 

not afterwards seen in that neighbourhood. 

At the Poor house of Chaffcombe, near Ilminster, on Mary Ann Long, aged six 

years. The deceased had been imprudently left by her mother with three younger 

children, when, in attempting to place some straw on the fire, her clothes ignited, and 

she survived the accident but two hours. Verdict, in each case, Accidental Death. 

On Friday se’nnight, a lad at Wells, having filled his pocket with squibs &c was 

amusing himself with them, when some persons set fire to a projecting rocket, which 

communicating with the rest the boy was so dreadfully burnt that he died on the 

Monday following. 

November 23 rd 1825 

Yesterday afternoon, Thomas Quick, labourer of Blagdon, whilst employed at Mr 

Hutchings’ lime-kiln, on Pickeridge Hill, near this town, descended a ladder, with the 

view of roasting some meat at the kiln-fire, but it is supposed the heated air suffocated 

him, and he was found at the foot of the ladder quite dead, with both his legs and one 

of his arms entirely burnt off. 

Inquests by Mr Caines. 

At Wells, on J Atwood, aged 10 years. The little boy, on the 5 th instant, was in the 

market place, where he was a spectator of the numerous fireworks letting off there, 

13

and for some cause which could not be ascertained, a squib got into the pocket of his 

trowsers where it exploded, and scorched him so much that all medical aid was 

unavailing. He expired on the 12 th inst. Verdict, Accidentally burnt. 

At the Alms house, at Wiveliscombe, on William Atwood, aged 74. It appeared that 

the wife of the deceased left him at seven o’clock in the morning of the 16 th instant to 

go to her daily labour – that he appeared cheerful and in his usual health, and that at 

noon on the same day his son called and found him dead in the window seat. Verdict, 

Died by the visitation of God. 


Inquest on the body of Thomas Dobney. 

An inquest was held in St James’s Workhouse, on Thursday, on the body of Thomas 

Dobney, a coach painter, whose death, by taking poison, was noticed in our last. It 

appears that not the slightest blame is attributable to Mr Overton, the druggist, who 

sold the ingredients, as the word “Poison” was distinctly written on the outside of the 

paper, and it will be seen by the evidence that the deceased was particularly cautioned 

about it. He was about 30 years of age – Mr Dyer, surgeon, was first examined. When 

I got into the house I was informed that the deceased had taken poison in milk. I then 

took the paper which had poison written on it up stairs; I there found Dobney in bed. I 

asked him if he had taken the contents of that paper? He said he had. I immediately 

sent for Dr Kinglake, and went myself to Mr Overton’s, the druggist to enquire if 

what he had sold Dobney was arsenic. Mr O said yes. I then said deceased had taken 

it. When I returned, Dr Kinglake had arrived, and every means which could be 

resorted to in such a case was immediately administered. I asked him what motive he 

had for taking it? He said he had a reason, but would not assign it. Dr K said that what 

Dobney had taken was sufficient to kill 50 men, and also stated that 10 grains were 

more than sufficient to kill a man, and there could not be the slightest doubt but that 

the deceased died in consequence of taking the arsenic while in a state of intoxication. 

Mr Overton, sworn. The deceased came into my shop on the 22d Noember, between 

five and six o’clock in the evening, and asked for on ounce of oxalic acid, and said he 

was going to make a preparation for boot tops, and asked me if oxalic acid was 

poisonous. I replied that it was, if taken in large quantities, otherwise it was not 

considered a direct poison. He then asked if an ounce would poison. I replied in the 

affirmative. While I was putting up the oxalic acid, he asked if I had any green 

arsenic. I answered that I had never heard of green arsenic, but that I had white 

arsenic. He said that would do, and desired me to give him half an ounce. I enquired if 

he used that for boot tops also. He said that he did, and that it was the best preparation 

that could be used. I asked if he wanted anything else; and he said that he used other 

things for the purpose sometimes, but that he did not want anything more then. No 

other remark passed, but used the common precaution of affixing a label on the oxalic 

acid, and writing “Poison” distinctly on the arsenic; he then paid for it and left the 

shop. In about a quarter of an hour after, he returned and asked me if that was poison I 

sold him. I expressed my astonishment at his asking the question, and observed that 

he knew perfectly well that it was so, as I had written the word “Poison” on the parcel. 

He then told me he had taken every bit of it. I could scarcely believe him, but said that 

if he really had taken it he was certainly a dead man, and advised him to obtain 

medical assistance immediately. He then left the shop. During the above conversation 

with the deceased there did not appear anything like incoherence or hesitation in his 

manner, as he appeared perfectly collected, and spoke deliberately, neither did he 

appear to me to be intoxicated. Mr Mogridge, landlord of the Devonshire Inn, was 

14

next examined. The deceased came into my house on Tuesday morning, the 22d, he 

drank five half pints of gin and ale before one o’clock. Dobney asked me if I would 

take a ride with him in a gig – he appeared then quite sensible, and seemed very 

anxious for me to accompany him, which I at last consented to, and it was decided to 

go as far as Bishop’s Lydeard. Deceased hired a horse and gig of Mr Higgins, in Paul 

Street – Dobney paid for it. When we had got as far as the turnpike gate, I said I 

would not proceed any further unless he gave me the reins, as he drove very 

carelessly. I then drove to Bishop’s Lydeard, and when we came to the Lethbridge 

Arms, we drank a glass of gin and water each. He did not appear to be very sober on 

the road going over. We were about two hours gone, and we returned between three 

and four o’clock in the afternoon. Dobney appeared more sober on his return home, 

than he did going. I don’t believe Dobney had any dinner on that day. When we 

returned home, deceased said he was determined to get drunk that evening, and called 

for a glass of gin and water. He had taken but little of it, when his wife came in, and 

perceiving the state in which he was, drank a portion of the gin and water, and my 

wife the remainder. They then walked home together. I knew him when he was in the 

army, he was always very partial to liquor, and I have seen him almost mad before 

now from the effects of it, it has required five or six men to hold him occasionally. 

When he left my house he did not appear to have taken too much. Witness said he had 

always behaved very violently towards his mother, and that hid wife behaved very 

kindly towards him. Mr Pavey was then called. The day on which Dobney returned 

from Bishop’s Lydeard, I saw him for the first time, to speak to him, for two years. He 

worked for me once. He noticed that the collar had galled the horse a great deal. I 

have known him from a child. I was afraid of him, being always a very vicious 

character when intoxicated. Mr Thorne was then called. I heard the deceased’s 

mother tell Mr Higgins not to let him have the gig, as he would not pay for it – but 

Higgins said he had got the money, and saw no objection to his having it. Dobney 

talked to me very incoherently. He was very civil out of liquor. He tried on day to cut 

his brother’s throat, but was prevented doing so, and cut a hole in his coat. Mr 

Chillcott, the next witness examined. I saw deceased at Mogridge’s. He talked very 

much like a madman – but related a story about his being flogged once while he was 

in the army, and said he wished to be revenged on those who had flogged him. After 

the evidence had been given, the Jury were unanimously of opinion that The 

Deceased died in a Fit of Temporary Derangement and a verdict to that effect was 

accordingly returned. The body has since been opened by Mr Dyer, in the presence of 

Dr Kinglake, and on examination arsenic was found in different places in the coat of 

the stomach, and a quantity had passed through the lower orifice of the stomach into 

the intestines, and the gullet, stomach, and intestines were much inflamed, and in 

different places eroded. 

Further inquests by Mr Caines of Langport. 

On Monday at West Buckland, on Catharine Hill, an elderly woman, who on Saturday 

morning was found dead in her bed. Up to the preceding evening, she had taken her 

meals regularly, and went up to bed quite as well, and, rather more cheerful than 

usual. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

The same day at Wootten Courtney, near Minehead, on Mary Ann Pester aged 16. It 

appeared in evidence, that on Thursday last, deceased was riding on a cart laden with 

potatoes, and sitting by the side of another young woman; that the cart was driven by 

two horses, and, in descending a hill, the driver very prudently held the reins of the 

wheel horse, but the leader got off the road, and by that means the cart was upset, and 

15

the deceased was thrown with great violence against a stone wall, by which means her 

skull was fractured, and her neck dislocated. The other young woman fortunately was 

not at all injured. Verdict, Accidental Death, and a deodand of fifteen shillings on the 

leader. 

At Pitminster, on Thursday, on the body of Thos Quick, a labourer, the account of 

whose death, by suffocation in a lime kiln, appeared only in part of our last 

publication; when the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. The body presented 

a shocking spectacle, both legs and one of the arms of the deceased being entirely 

burnt off. 

December 14 th 1825 

On Wednesday an inquest was held at Barrington, near Ilminster, by Mr Caines of 

Langport, on Rebecca Hale, aged 71. The death of this poor woman was sudden and 

excited much interest in the neighbourhood, it having been reported by one of her own 

sons, that another of her sons had knocked her down with a large stick, and that the 

blow had caused her death. It appeared in evidence at the inquest, that there had for a 

long time been frequent disputes about some house property which belonged to the 

family; and that on the preceding Monday the two sons had come to blows, when one 

was knocked down. The old woman was present, and expressed herself warmly on the 

occasion. It was proved that she was extremely passionate; and as there were no 

marks of violence whatever, but only a quantity of extravasated blood found in the 

brain, the surgeon (Mr Davis, of South Petherton), gave it as his opinion that the 

deceased died from a rupture of a vessel in the brain, occasioned by fright or extreme 

passion, and not from violence; the Jury returned a verdict accordingly. 

January 4 th 1826 


At Timberscombe, near Dunster, on John Huxtable, an elderly man, belonging to a 

choir of singers, who, as usual, at Christmas, are in the habit of going round to sing at 

the farm houses. On the 26 th ult, the choir came to Harwood Farm, at about ten in the 

morning, and having commenced a hymn at the front door, deceased fell down and 

instantly expired. 

At Wilton, near this town, on Sam Morgan, a fisherman, aged 48, who on Thursday 

last, having been drinking and gormandising at the New Inn, nearly the whole day, 

until his stomach revolted, fell down and expired in a few minutes. Verdict in each 

case, “Died by the Visitation of God.” 

And at the Seven Stars Inn, in this town, on Wm Fox aged 24. In this case it appeared 

that on Friday week deceased was employed in lowering the frame work of a fender 

down some steps from the carpenter’s shop, near the family mansion at Orchard 

Portman when he fell backwards, and received a concussion of the brain, of which he 

languished at the Hospital until the 27 th ult when he died. Verdict, “Accidental 

Death.” 


A few days since, Elizabeth Ackland, resident near the Stone Bridge Bristol, being 

left in a room alone, whilst playing with a handkerchief near the fire, it ignited, and 

communicating to her clothes, she was burnt to death. 

On the same day, James Eveley, age five years, was also burnt to death from 

confinement in the absence of his parents. It is remarkable that both of these children 

16

were scholars at the infant school in Meadow Street, but on this fatal day both lost 

their lives from being kept from that excellent asylum of comfort and safety. 

On Friday evening, as two children named Tyatt, were playing with a wheelbarrow 

containing some shavings, one of these took a coal from a fire and threw it in the 

wheelbarrow, the contents of which immediately ignited and caught one of the 

children’s clothes, their cries brought a person to their assistance, who at length 

succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but too late to save the child, who lingered 

about two hours and then expired – the left side was so dreadfully burnt that the heart 

could be distinctly seen. 


A young man in the employ of Mr Stacey, on Tuesday morning about seven o’clock, 

went to the grist mill, in North Street, to fetch a bucket to give the horses water, and 

has not since been heard of. It is conjectured that he fell into the river, and every 

enquiry and search for him have been made in vain. The youth’s friends live at 

Blagdon and he had only two days before left the service of Mr Waterman of North 

Town. 

The body of a newly born infant was yesterday discovered in a ditch in the lane close 

by the East Reach Turnpike House. The inhuman mother had stuffed straw into the 

mouth of the babe, which, when found, was quite dead, although its birth could not 

have happened many hours previously. 

On Wednesday last two youths sliding on the ice at the Merchant’s Floating Dock, 

Hotwells, fell in, and were unfortunately drowned: and a third in trying to extricate 

them had nearly shared the same fate. 

Accident on the Float at Bristol. 

Sunday afternoon, between four and five o’clock, as two men and two women were 

attempting to cross the river on the ice from the Wapping side, a little below the back 

part of the New Gaol, to the sea bank side, coming on a weak part of the ice which 

had been broken on Friday for the purpose of passing a vessel down the river, the 

whole four were suddenly immersed in the water; one man and a woman were got out 

so quick that they were able to walk home in a short time; the other man, whose name 

we understand to be John Griffiths, shopman to Mr Grant, hatter, Redcliffe Street, 

was got out alive, but immediately fell on the ice, and unfortunately the Gentleman of 

the faculty, with all their endeavours could not restore him to life; his corpse now lies 

at the King George Tavern, Cannon’s Marsh. The female who fell in with him, had 

grasped fast hold of his leg, and was drawn out apparently lifeless; we are, however, 

happy to state that the Medical Gentleman succeeded in restoring her to animation. 


Mr Caines, the Coroner, ahs closed his inquest, which he had commenced on 

Thursday last, on the body of the newly born child, found in the hedge of a field near 

East Reach. After a most minute investigation, and considerable exertion by the parish 

officers, for discovery of the murderer or murderers without success, the Jury returned 

a verdict of Wilful Murder against some person or persons unknown. 

Inquests recently holden by Mr Caines. 

At Minehead, on James McCarthy, aged 26, and William Ford, aged 21, who were 

found dead on board the schooner Youghall, or and from Youghall, laden with oats, 

and bound to Cardiff for orders. The schooner put into Minehead on the 14 th inst on 

account of contrary winds. The two unfortunate men slept under the forecastle, and, to 

17

protect themselves from the severity of the frost, had burnt some Swansea culm (stone 

coal) in an iron pot, the effluvium of which, they having unfortunately closed the 

hatches of the vessel, occasioned their death. They were discovered, dead, in their 

births on Wednesday morning, by the master of the vessel, Callaghan McCarthy, 

who gave his evidence on this melancholy subject with deep emotion and unaffected 

regret. On quitting the place, he expressed his gratitude to the gentlemen and 

inhabitants, for the kindness and commiseration bestowed on him, in a manner 

exceedingly creditable to his feelings. The crew consisted of five persons only, and 

one of the deceased (Ford) had married only the Sunday week preceding. Verdict, 

Accidentally suffocated. 

At Lydeard St Lawrence, on John Chilcott, aged 67, whose death was awfully 

sudden, having expired while taking his breakfast. Deceased had lived in service on 

the same farm, and in the same family, nearly 40 years, and by his industry and saving 

had accumulated nearly £100. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

February 1 st 1826 

Last week at Marston Bigot, near Frome, farmer William Deacon and his wife, at the 

ages of 72 and 73; and in the same parish, at an advanced age, in consequence of a fall 

which broke his leg, farmer Jonathan Pinnock. 

A fatal accident happened on Wednesday, the 18 th instant, to James Wood, a lad in 

the employ of Lady Bridport, at Cricket Lodge. The deceased was riding on the turf in 

the park, at the breaking up of the frost, when the horse slipped and fell, and the poor 

boy was thrown off with such violence as to cause a concussion of the brain on the 

following Saturday. An inquest was held on Wednesday last, by Mr Caines, of 

Langport, Verdict, Accidental Death. 

Shocking Event. 

The wife of Mr A S Trood, schoolmaster, of Cannon street in this town, was this 

morning found dead in her bed, owing to the curtains having taken fire. The 

unfortunate deceased, though in the prime of life, has been confined to her room by 

illness for many months past. The inmates of the house slept in the upper part of it, 

and the unfortunate sufferer on the ground floor. 

Two women were apprehended and brought into this town, on suspicion of being the 

murderers of the newly born infant lately discovered in a field, near this town. They 

were apprehended at Fisherton, near Salisbury, and will be privately examined this 

morning. Their names are Mary Ann Shoal, and Elisabeth Shute. 

February 8 th 1826 

Two women apprehended at Fisherton and brought to this town, on suspicion of being 

concerned in the late murder of an infant have been discharged after a minute 

examination. 


On Thursday last, on the body of John Tozer, aged 35, a prisoner in Wilton Gaol. 

Deceased was brought in from Polden Hill on the 26 th December last, charged with an 

assault but his state of health was so bad that he could not be tried at the last Epiphany 

Sessions. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.” 

The same day, on James Davis, late boots and hostler at the London Inn, in this town. 

It may be remembered that on the 11 th October last, the horses in the Traveller Bristol 

Coach set off from the Inn before the coachman had taken his seat, and Davis, in his 

18

attempt to restrain them, was thrown down, and the wheels going over him, crushed 

his thighs in a shocking manner. In this state he was conveyed to the Hospital, where, 

in spite of the humane treatment and eminent skill by which that excellent Institution 

is distinguished, the poor fellow lingered until Tuesday last, when he died. Verdict, 

“Accidental Death, and a deodand of £2 on the coach.” 

Same day, on Mrs Trood, wife of Mr A S Trood, of St James’s Street, in this town, 

who was found suffocated in bed on Wednesday morning last. Deceased had been for 

upwards of two years in a lamentable state of bodily infirmity, which confined her to 

her room. In the night previous to, or early in the morning of, her death, she had risen, 

and on getting again into bed, had, by some means, set fire to the curtains, which, with 

the bed-clothes, were entirely burnt. Mrs Charles Welch, and other persons, deposed 

to the affectionate care uniformly bestowed on the deceased by her relatives and 

friends, and particularly by her husband, whose unwearied solicitude for her comfort, 

the deceased had spoken particularly of a few days only previous to her death. 

Verdict, “Died by Suffocation.” 

At Puckington, near Ilminster, on Samuel Stower, aged two years. 

And at Enmore, near Bridgwater, on Fanny Elizabeth Knight, aged 15 months, both 

of whom were so dreadfully burnt, from their clothes taking fire, that they expired in a 

few hours. 

And at Colonel Pinney’s, at Lower Somerton, on William Purchase, the coachman, 

aged 22, who, having taken out one of the horses for an airing, with only a snaffle bit, 

and no saddle, the animal became unmanageable, and the man was thrown against the 

garden wall, by which his skull was fractured, and he died instantly. Verdict, in each 

case, “Acidental Death.” 



At Highbridge Inn, in the parish of Huntspill, on Wm Coles, aged 55?, the driver of a 

stage waggon belonging to Messrs Brice, of this town. It appeared in evidence that 

the deceased was found on Thursday night, about eight o’clock on the turnpike road, 

with a compound fracture of the right leg, and that on the following morning the limb 

was amputated; mortification, however, ensued, and he died on the 5 th instant. The 

deceased stated to the surgeon, that some persons, who passed him in a market cart, 

struck the fore horse, which had knocked him down, and by that means he received 

the injury. The persons so implicated having been recognised were at length 

summoned, but they denied the charge, and the deceased having stated that the horse 

was spirited and often frightened; the Jury returned a verdict “Accidentally killed by 

being knocked down by the fore horse.” Deodand 40s on the horse. In this case the 

coroner was obliged to adjourn the inquest six hours, until the necessary witness could 

be in attendance. 

At Chard, on Henry Parker, aged 88. The deceased, who recently came from 

Tiverton, and was employed in one of the lace factories, was seized with pain in the 

head and sickness, became speechless, and insensible, and died in a few hours. 

At Curry Rivell, near Langport, on William Sharrock, aged 76, who on Sunday, the 

5 th inst. was found dead in his bed, in a house where he resided alone. Verdict in each 

of two last mentioned cases, “Died by the Visitation of God.” 

February 22 nd 1826 

James Marder Newton, a youth, seven years of age, grandson of Mr Marder of Stoke 

St Mary, near this town, was drowned at Bickenhull, near Hatch, on Tuesday the 14 th 

19

inst and his body was found at Beer Crowcombe, a distance of four miles, on 

Thursday last. He had been sent to a school at Bickenhall, on the day only preceding 

the unfortunate event. The youth, it seems, had risen early in the morning, and having, 

without leave, or intimation of his intention, mounted a poney belonging to Mr 

Woodman, the master of the school, proceeded with it to the river, to give it drink. 

The stream being much swollen, it is presumed that the horse and its youthful rider 

were carried beyond their depth. The parents of the youth are very respectable, and 

the deceased, had he lived, would have succeeded to a good property. 


At Withypool, in the parish of Winsford, on the 17 th inst. on the body of Richard 

Burnell, an elderly man, who, having gone to an outhouse for some fuel, and 

remaining there longer than was expected, his wife went to look for him, and found 

him dead. 

At Allerford, in the parish of Selworthy, near Minehead, on Ann Gregory, aged four 

months, who was also found dead. Verdicts in both cases, Died by the Visitation of 

God. 

March 1 st 1826 

Inquest by Mr Caines of Langport. 

On Friday, the 21 st instant, at Bossington, in the parish of Porlock, on Mary Groves, 

aged six years, who, with her brother, about five years old, went out on Monday 

se’nnight to pick some sticks, and in crossing an extremely dangerous bridge, over the 

North River, about thirty feet wide, and which was much swollen from the late rains, 

the deceased observed to her brother, “the bridge is turning round,” and at almost the 

same instant she fell into the river, and the boy, who was holding by his sisters 

clothes, fell with her. The boy was carried by the current about 100 yards where he 

succeeded in getting ashore, and his cries alarmed some people in the adjoining fields, 

who came to his assistance, and at about a quarter of a mile below the bridge they 

found the body of his sister washed on a shoal, where she was taken up dead – 

Verdict, “Accidentally Drowned.” 

March 8 th 1826 

A man, of the name of John Cole, met his death in the Bristol Infirmary on Tuesday 

se’nnight, under singular but awful circumstances. The deceased, who, it appears, was 

afflicted with the disease called St Vitus’s Dance, had a shower bath ordered to be 

administered to him. In consequence, the nurse and a blacksmith, named Redwood, 

placed him in the bath which is supplied by hot and cold water by two parallel pipes. 

Redwood knowing little of the process, turned the cock of one of the pipes to let in the 

water; the patient immediately screamed out, but Redwood, thinking this was only in 

consequence of the shock of the water, took no notice; in a few moments, however, he 

opened the door of the bath, when he found that he had unfortunately turned the 

wrong cock, and let in boiling water. The deceased was taken out and put to bed, but 

his whole body was so dreadfully scalded that, after lingering twenty four hours, he 

expired in great agony. Verdict Accidental Death; but the Jury, by way of precaution, 

ordered that the pipes should be marked distinctly, hot and cold. 

Taunton. 

On Saturday, Mrs Long, wife of a tray-japanner, in Hunt’s Court, who had been for 

many months in a declining state of health, was found by her husband lying dead, at 

the foot of a chair on which she had been left sitting not long before. The coroner is 

expected to hold his inquest on the deceased this day. 

20

A poor crippled man named Gale, residing in Turkey Court in this town, on Sunday 

last, after returning from church, was about to drink some broth, when he suddenly 

fell down and immediately expired – An inquest is about to be held on the body. 



Near the turnpike at Shuttern, in this town, on an elderly man, named Edward Gill, 

whose death was very sudden on Sunday, the 5 th instant. In his way home from 

church, he was overtaken by a heavy hail storm, which occasioned him to increase 

his speed, probably beyond his natural strength, so as to occasion an excessive 

circulation, for on his coming into the house, and his wife having put a bason of broth 

into his hands, he fell out of the chair and expired instantly. Verdict, “Died by the 

Visitation of God.” 

And at Ham Mills, in the parish of North Curry, on Richard Dibble, a boatman aged 

30. Deceased had got out of the boat to open the gates of the lock at Ham, and from 

the evidence of another boatman it appeared that, at about ten o’clock at night, on 

Tuesday, the 7 th instant, after he had opened the two upper gates, he sat down and 

sung while the pound was filling, and in opening the lower gates he unfortunately fell 

into the River Tone, and was drowned. The Coroner and Jury took a view of the 

bridge, lock &c, and amongst other observations, it was stated, that as such a number 

of boats were passing at all hours of the night, a lamp was quite as necessary there, at 

the Toll house, as at any Turnpike house what, and the Jury returned a verdict 

“Accidentally Drowned,” with a presentment as follows:- “That the said bridge is 

dangerous to his Majesty’s subjects, on account of there being railing on one side 

only; and that a lamp is absolutely necessary, to be fixed at the most convenient place 

contiguous to the lock aforesaid.” We hope and trust that the Conservators of the 

River will see the propriety of paying such attention to this circumstance as will 

prevent any future accident. We understand the poor fellow has left a widow and three 

children. 

April 5 th 1826 

An inquest was held on Thursday last, by Mr Caines, of Langport, at Long Load, in 

the parish of Martock, on Jacob Williams aged 66. The deceased was well known in 

the country for his skill as a horse and cow doctor. On the preceding Tuesday he 

attended Somerton Fair, when, it appeared, he got intoxicated, and on his way home 

fell into a ditch, where he would have been drowned, had not some persons rendered 

him assistance, one of whom lent him his horse to ride home, from which he fell, and 

was ultimately conveyed in a cart to his own house, where he expired on the Sunday 

following. The jury returned a verdict – “That the deceased died from a violent bruise 

on his side, occasioned by a fall from a horse, and hurts which he had sustained from 

having previously fallen into a ditch.” 


Yesterday, a little boy, about thirteen years of age, belonging to Borough-bridge, fell 

out of one of the barges on the Tone, in Priory Fields, near this town, and before 

assistance could be rendered him he sunk never to rise again. 

An accident happened at Ashcot, on Monday se’nnight, owing to the negligence of 

one of the post-boys at the King Alfred Inn, Borough Bridge. It seems he had been 

with a chaise to the Sessions at Wells, and, returning empty, drove out of the direct 

road, towards the turnpike gate, to call on his sister, and having left the horses to 

themselves, at such speed, that the off-horse had his head forced with so much 

21

violence over the bars by the side of the turnpike gate as actually to dislocate the back 

bone, which, protruding through the skin, caused his death the following day. We 

understand the driver was much intoxicated. 

Inquest by Mr Caines. 

On Thursday se’nnight, at Ashbrittle, on Mr Wm Miles, late a respectable farmer of 

that parish, whose death was quite sudden on the Tuesday preceding. He was at a 

neighbour’s house about a quarter of an hour before he expired, when he complained 

of a pain in his stomach. Deceased was a remarkably hale man, and rather abstemious. 

On the morning of his death he was unusually cheerful, and ate heartily of a sort of 

cake (of which he was particularly fond) fried in a pan. Verdict – ‘Died by the 

Visitation of God.’ 


On Friday se’nnight, on Robert Phillips, a labouring man, was employed in pruning a 

maiden elm tree at Thorne St Margaret, near Wellington he fell from the upper part of 

it, a height of about 30 feet, and having dislocated his back, and received other bodily 

injuries, languished until the Sunday evening, when he expired. Mr Caines, or 

Langport, held an inquest on the body. Verdict – accidental death. 


Inquest. Mr Caines, of Langport, on Tuesday week, held an inquest at Skilgate, below 

Wiveliscombe, on the body of Wm Venn, a child three years of age, whose death was 

occasioned by drinking boiling water out of a tea-pot, in which some herbs had been 

infused on the preceding Saturday. The child lingered until the next morning, when it 

expired – Verdict, Accidental Death. 

A Coroner’s inquest was held in this town on Friday last, on the body of Mr – Blague, 

of Yarmouth, grocer, who died in consequence of the wounds he inflicted on himself, 

by cutting his throat, as mentioned on the 12 th inst. The unfortunate man lingered until 

Thursday last. As we before stated, the deceased had been embarrassed in his 

circumstances, and his mind having become violently disturbed in consequence, he 

became deranged, of which fact the most decisive evidence was adduced, and the Jury 

returned, accordingly, and verdict of Lunacy. 

May 3 rd 1826 

Yesterday, as two boys were riding on a colt in the neighbourhood of Chelston, near 

Wellington, a carter came up with them, and stuck the animal with his whip, which 

startling it, both the youths were thrown off, and one of them was killed on the spot. 


At Milverton, on John Marshall, aged 18. This young man, who was in the employ 

of Mr Richard Young, was returning from Taunton, with a waggon laden with culm, 

and had been sitting on the shafts, when, his hat having been blown off, he got down 

to recover it, and having forced the horses into a trot, in attempting to regain his seat, 

he fell backwards, and both the near wheels passed over his body. Verdict, 

Accidentally Killed: deodand on the fore wheel ten shillings. 

At Ford, in the parish of Cutcombe, near Dunster, on William Burnell. The deceased 

was a labouring man, aged 61, who, on Tuesday last, had taken his breakfast, of 

which he ate heartily, and at about seven o’clock was seen crossing a field in the 

direction in which his work lay. It was afterwards discovered that he has fallen down, 

and on a person going to his assistance, he was found dead. Verdict, Died by the 

Visitation of God. 

22

May 10 th 1826 

It is with regret we announce that Mr Coles, a highly respectable paper maker at 

Wookey, near Wells, put a period to his existence on Wednesday last, by hanging 

himself. The mills of this gentleman had been for some time stopped, in consequence 

of disputes with the workmen; and though his property was extensive, it is supposed 

that the anxiety attendant on this circumstance, in connexion with the peculiar features 

of the times, led to a temporary derangement, during which the fatal act was 

committed. 


At the Cottage Inn, Rowbarton, near this town, on a female infant, who was first seen 

in possession of some little children, who did not seem to know what it was, it being 

in a mutilated state, it appeared to have been a full grow child, and had probably been 

born about two months; but as no conclusive evidence could be obtained as to the 

cause of its death, the jury returned a verdict, Found Dead. It was generally supposed 

that this infant had been in the hands of some young medical men, for anatomical 

purposes; if so, a less indiscreet disposal of the subject would have been more 

creditable to them, and consistent with the respect due to public feeling on the 

occasion. 

At Staplegrove, near this town, on Thos Shaddock, aged 35. It appeared at the 

inquest, that the deceased had been sitting on the fore part of a cart, driving a horse 

without reins, and that, in turning a corner, one of the wheels was drawn against a 

bank, by which means the cart was upset, and deceased fell under the horse, where he 

was found dead, and the animal so much injured, as to be of no value. Accidental 

Death. 

At Dulverton on Samuel White, aged 69. Deceased had formerly lived in a 

respectable manner; but of late years he had squandered away nearly all his property, 

and had been wandering about the country. A short time since he returned to 

Dulverton, where he was still possessed of two small cottages; but he was in such a 

deplorable state of filth, that no one liked to take him in. At length the parish officers 

humanely sent for him, procured him a lodging, fed and clothed him, and early on 

Tuesday morning he was found dead, from the rupture of a blood vessel. 

Also, at the same place, on Mary Blackmore, aged 35, whose death was very sudden. 

On the day preceding her death, she had been at work, planting potatoes, and on the 

morning following, her husband, by trade a comber, left her in bed at six o’clock, to 

proceed to his work; she did not then make any complaint, but appeared very well. At 

about seven, a person went to the house, for the purpose of speaking to her, and called 

her, but receiving no answer, she proceeded up stairs, and found her, reclining on her 

left side, dead, with the babe on her left arm, and sucking at the lifeless breast. 

Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

May 24 th 1826 

On Saturday, a boy residing in the Alms house, whilst climbing a tree, to get at a 

bird’s nest, lost his footing, and falling to the ground fractured his skull and otherwise 

bruised himself so seriously that there is not the slightest chance of his recovery. 

May 31 st 1826 

Mr Caines, of Langport, on Friday last, held an inquest at Upper Chilcott, Dulverton, 

on the body of Martha Leigh, aged 69. Her death was awfully sudden. Her husband 

who is a reduced farmer, breakfasted with the deceased when she appeared perfectly 

23

well. Half an hour afterwards, she came to him, and he was her return into the house, 

with a few sticks in her hand, and in about ten minutes after, her grandson found her 

stretched on the floor, quite dead. Verdict, Died by the visitation of God. 

June 7 th 1826 


On Friday last, at Fiddington near Stowey, on the body of Thomas Morris, aged 55, 

who was seized with apoplexy on the Wednesday preceding, and died in about three 

hours. 

At Pitminster, on Saturday last, on Thomas Valentine, 45 years of age, who was also 

suddenly seized with illness, and died in a few minutes. 

At Broadway, near Ilminster, on – Matthews, who died after an illness of a quarter of 

an hour only. Verdict in each case, “Died by the Visitation of God.” 

On Wednesday, at Dumball Clyes, in the parish of Puriton, on Simon Olman, aged 

62. Deceased had the care of the clyes (flood gates) many years; having been at 

Bridgwater, where he had drunk freely, he came homewards on the new road now 

forming from Bridgwater to Pawlett, and walking close by the side of the river, and it 

being dark and rainy, he fell over a precipice of ten feet, which occasioned his death. 

Verdict, “Found Dead.” 

At Staplegrove, near Taunton, on the driver of a cart belonging to Mr J Payne, of 

Bishop’s Hull, miller; on Saturday, as he was returning with the cart towards the mill, 

on descending the hill near Staplegrove stop-gate, the horse began to kick, and set off 

at a violent pace; when deceased leaped out of the cart, and falling against a bank, was 

killed on the spot. He was a stranger, and his name could not be ascertained. Verdict, 

“Accident; and a deodand on the horse of 40s.” 

At Higher Chilcott, in the parish of Dulverton, on Martha Leigh, aged 69, who was 

found dead. Verdict, “Deid by the visitation of God.” 

June 28 th 1826 

Bridgwater. 

On Saturday, a little boy, named Taylor, whilst playing on the banks of the river, by 

some accident, fell in and though a diligent search was immediately made, his body 

was not found till this morning, when the tide had washed it on shore near the dock 

gates. 

July 5 th 1826 

On Tuesday night, the 20 th ult., as Mr John Millard, a respectable farmer and 

auctioneer, of Wookey, near the above city, was returning from Wedmore, he met his 

death under rather suspicious circumstances. It appears the deceased left Wedmore 

about 1 o’clock at night (some say rather elated with liquor) on a spirited horse, from 

which he was either thrown or knocked off near Hinton, about three miles distant 

from Wedmore. He was found the next morning, about five o’clock, in a small brook 

by the road side, lying across the base of the arch. On taking him up a dreadful 

fracture was found in the back part of the skull, so as to admit the fingers of the 

person who assisted in raising him. The deceased being found in such a situation, after 

receiving such a wound, which must have caused almost instant death, with his 

pockets rifled of his pocket book, his watch, and all the silver he had about him, it is 

evident he was robbed if not murdered. He had £6 or £7 in notes in his watch pocket 

which escaped the notice of the villains. It is hoped that the perpetrators will not 

escape detection. One or two very suspicious characters reside in the neighbourhood. 

24

July 12 th 1826 


At Stoke Saint Mary, near this town, on William Pool, aged seven years, whose death 

was occasioned by a kick from a colt which fractured his skull; he died on the eighth 

day after the accident. Verdict, “Accidental Death” 

At Wembdon, near Bridgwater, on Sabrin Wills, aged 43, who, on Sunday, the 

second instant, went to be in perfect health, and on Monday morning her husband 

discovered she was a corpse. 

At Spaxton, on William Gibbs, aged 65, who was found dead in his bed in the poor 

house. 

At Brompton Ralph, on Robert Burnett, aged 60, who, whilst employed in making a 

hay rick, fell down and expired without making a struggle. Verdict, in each case, 

“Visitation of God.” 

And at Isle Abbots, on William Cotty, aged 14, who, on Tuesday the fourth instant, 

having gone into the River Isle to bathe, with two other boys, and being unable to 

swim, he got out of his depth and was drowned. Verdict, “Acidental Death.” 

July 19 th 1826 

On Thursday last, an inquest was held by Mr Caines in this town, on Wm 

Symmonds, aged ten years, who was drowned the preceding day, at a place called the 

Two Shoot weir, adjoining the River Tone. Deceased was observed a short time 

before the accident, sitting by the side of the stream, with a book in his hand, where it 

is supposed he had fallen asleep. The book and his hat were found in the river. 

Notwithstanding most extraordinary and highly praiseworthy efforts were made to 

recover the body (in the course of which a man, named Quick, sunk with him twice) 

it was upwards of an hour before the corpse was taken out of the water. Verdict – 

“Accidentally drowned”. (The being no statute to compel Overseers to pay persons for 

such persevering and hazardous exertions as the above, it was resolved that the 

Foreman and others of the Jury should wait on the Select Vestry, to solicit some 

reward for this man, as a stimulus on any future occasion.) 

On Saturday, another inquest was held by Mr Caines, on Edw Squibb Cornish, aged 

22, who was drowned on the preceding day, while bathing in French Weir, near this 

town. Deceased was the son of Mrs Cornish, of Hammet Street – was a young man of 

excellent character, and had but very recently completed his apprenticeship to a linen 

draper of Bridport. From the evidence of a witness, it appeared that the deceased, soon 

after entering the water, suddenly stooped as if he wished to immerse the whole of his 

body, and immediately sunk. Assistance was speedily procured; but, as the body was 

not discovered until nearly an hour before the accident, the attempts made to restore 

life were of no avail. A black man, belonging to the 32d Regiment, passing through 

the town, courageously and skilfully dived into various parts of the stream, and at 

length bore up the corpse. It is much to be lamented that in so populous a town as 

Taunton, and where, from the facilities afforded for the recreation, bathing is so much 

practised, that no institution has been established with the praiseworthy object that 

distinguishes the Humane Societies of London, Exeter, and many other places. As the 

spot where the above unfortunate youth met his death is every year the scene of many 

distressing accidents of the same nature, and appears still to be preferred by bathers, it 

has been suggested that drags and other implements for the recovery of drowning 

persons should be kept at the nearest house in North Town, where access to them, at 

the shortest notice, might always be had. Should this recommendation be attended to, 

25

a most desirable point will be certainly gained; but the establishment of a society 

would comprehend every detail of the kind, and, no doubt, that most useful one of 

offering rewards to individuals instrumental in rescuing bodies. We shall be truly 

happy to learn that steps are about to be taken to fill up the blank now existing among 

our many benevolent institutions, by the addition f the one we have in view, and we 

trust, should some spirited promoters be found, that a pursuit of the object to its 

immediate adoption will appear to be highly necessary, as affording the happy means 

of averting any additional calamity during the remaining portion of the summer 

months. (Since writing the above, we have been informed that some benevolent 

individuals rewarded the black soldier by a donation of upwards of three pounds). 


On the 11 th instant, an inquest was held at Burnham, on Benjamin Dean, aged 63. It 

appeared in evidence, that the deceased had been apparently in good health on Sunday 

evening; at about 9 o’clock; that he had taken his meals as usual, and made no 

complaint whatever. In about half an hour afterwards his wife discovered he was 

unwell, called the neighbours, and sent for a doctor, but deceased was a corpse before 

he arrived. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

August 2 nd 1826 


At Hillfarrence, on William Chidzey, aged 16 months, who was accidentally burnt by 

his clothes taking fire in the absence of his mother, who had stepped into the garden to 

take in some linen. 

And at Cutsey, in the parish of Trull; on Wm Manley, aged 16, servant to Wm Blake 

esq who fell out of an empty waggon in which he was riding, and the off wheels 

having passed over his body, he died instantly. Verdict, Accidental Death, in each of 

the above cases. 

August 9 th 1826 


In this town, on James Ball, aged 77; deceased was well known in this 

neighbourhood from his having been accustomed to travel with drapery goods, by 

which means he had accumulated a competency. On Saturday last, in the absence of 

his housekeeper, he fell into a fit to which he had been subject, and died in a few 

hours. The jury returned a verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Westonzoyland, on the 5 th inst on James Martin, aged 22; deceased was a 

blacksmith, and on the 3d inst was on his return from Bridgwater market with a cart 

loaded with coals and iron, and in consequence of a loud clap of thunder, the horse 

became frightened , and it was with difficulty it could be stopped. Part of the iron 

having fallen off, and deceased with some assistance having reloaded it, the horse 

again started off, and the young man, in endeavouring to reach the reigns, fell before 

the off wheel, which passed over his head and fractured his skull, of which he died in 

about three hours. Verdict, Accidental Death. Deodand on the wheel, half a crown. 

Bridgwater 

On Thursday evening, a young man named Taylor, was drowned whilst bathing in our 

river, it is supposed from his feet sticking in the slime whence he was unable to 

extricate himself. The body was found about an hour afterwards and medical 

assistance immediately procured, but life was extinct. 

26


Several of the crew of the schooner Union, of Bristol, who were massacred at St 

Andrew’s, on the coast of Africa, were natives of Bridgwater and it’s vicinity. Mr 

Feeben, the master, was from a highly respectable family lately residing at Stowey; 

the parents of Mr Geo Bullard, the mate, are living at Bridgwater; he possessed 

ability and enterprize, and was an only son. 



On Saturday last, an inquest was held at Chard, on a man aged above sixty, unknown 

except as a common mendicant. On the evening of the preceding Thursday the 

deceased arrived in Chard, accompanied by a man named England, an occasional 

inmate of the workhouse at Chard, and the same evening died suddenly at his 

lodgings. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. It is a singular coincidence that the 

other man (England) was unable to walk to the workhouse, and rode to it on a donkey, 

where he soon became speechless, and expired on Friday evening. This man had for a 

long time been in a deplorable state of emaciation from disease, and was much 

addicted to drinking. 

September 6 th 1826 


At the Taunton and Somerset Hospital, on Isaac Hartnell, aged 14. The deceased was 

employed in driving a cart with two horses on the turnpike road, near Langford 

Bridge, and being riding in the cart, the horses took fright at some dogs which ran 

across the road. The deceased, in jumping out, pitched on the fore part of his head, 

which caused a fracture at the basis of his skull from ear to ear. He languished from 

Tuesday to the Friday following, and then died of concussion of the brain. 

At Stoke St Gregory, on Thomas Goodland, aged 60, who, being subject to fits, fell 

from the towing path, at Curland, into the river Tone, where he was drowned. Verdict, 

Accidental Death, in each case. 

At Stogursey, on Charles Witch, aged 34, a remarkably healthy man, whose death 

was awfully sudden; and at Closworth near Yeovil on John Hoskins, an elderly man, 

who dropped down in a barn, and instantly expired. Verdict, died by the visitation of 

God. 


On Wednesday morning, John Nethercott, a carpenter, was found lying dead at the 

foot of the staircase, in his house at Bishops’ Hull. He had been attending the races in 

this town on the preceding day; it is supposed, on his return, going up stairs to bed, he 

had fallen backwards, and received an injury that led to his death. His wife, 

unfortunately, was not at home, and there was no one in the house at the time who 

could give any evidence on the case. A coroner’s Jury returned the verdict of 

Accidental death. 

Terrors of a guilty conscience. 

A singular illustration of the miseries attendant on a mind imbued with a sense of 

guilt, occurred a few days ago, at Milverton, in this county. An upper servant in a 

large and very respectable Ladies’ Boarding School in that town, on Saturday, the 26 th 

ult became violently agitated from some unknown cause, and under its oppressive 

influence was heard to reproach herself in the most sorrowful terms for the worthless 

and sinful life she had been pursuing. Some secret which she dreaded to divulge was 

27

evidently preying on her mind, and at length produced a degree of mental aberration, 

during which some expressions escaped her which revealed her implication in a long 

continued system of robbery, committed both on the property of her mistress and of 

the pupils. It seems that the young ladies had in a most unaccountable manner from 

time to time missed their silver thimbles, scissors, and other articles, and upon 

searching the servant’s trunks, these were found in a most extraordinary quantity, 

together with other purloined property. The girl’s frenzy continued to increase, until it 

reached the crisis of raving madness, and at the end of ten days after her removal to 

the house of her father, who is a humble and industrious man at Fitzhead, the unhappy 

maniac expired! During the few lucid intervals she experienced, she solemnly 

cautioned those around her against the commission of dishonesty, and implored them 

to profit by the dreadful lesson her unhappy condition presented. Her two fellow 

servants have been committed to Wilton Gaol for trial, and a respect of public justice 

alone deters us, at present, from any statement respecting them. 



At Stogumber, on Hugh Dudderidge, a labouring man, aged 60, who, on Friday 

morning last, was found hanging to the side timber of the roof of a hay loft. At the 

inquest it was proved that the deceased and his wife had lived most unhappily for a 

considerable time; that the latter had locked him out of doors, denounced vengeance 

against him, if he dared approach the house; and that she had otherwise treated him in 

the most brutal manner. Verdict, That the deceased, being lunatic and distracted, in a 

fit of despair, hung himself. 

At Williton, near Watchet, on Henry Langdon, an infant about a month old. It 

appeared in evidence, that the deceased having suffered from wind in the stomach, a 

servant was sent to a grocer’s shop for a bottle of Godfrey’s Cordial, and that instead 

of the genuine article, she was supplied with four pennyworth of a spurious kind; part 

of this was given the child, which threw him into a state of stupor, in which state he 

continued for 16 hours, when he awoke, was seized with a fit, and almost instantly 

expired. The Coroner observed to the shopkeeper, that having a license, he was duly 

authorised to sell Patent Medicines; but he was not justified in compounding and 

selling in the manner before stated, and he entreated him to refrain from again 

endangering the lives of his Majesty’s subjects. Verdict, Died from the effects of a too 

powerful dose of an opiate, falsely designated and sold as Godfrey’s Cordial. 

October 18 th 1826 

Suicide. 

Thomas Gosney, of North Curry, barber, was found suspended, on Sunday morning 

last, from one of the side timbers of his house, having hung himself on the preceding 

night. The deceased had on no other covering, when discovered, but his shirt and 

stockings. He had shaved his customers until about eight o’clock on Saturday night, 

and was as cheerful as usual. The deceased was 24 years of age, and being of 

dissipated habits, his necessities, it is supposed, led him to self destruction. No 

evidence, however, being offered to shew any tendency to lunacy in the conduct of 

the deceased, the Coroner’s Jury returned a verdict of Felo-de-se, and he was ordered 

to be buried between nine and twelve o’clock at night, pursuant to the late Statute. 


28

At Dunster, on Charles Summers, shoemaker, aged 57, who, in a scuffle with a man 

named Morgan, with whom he had been drinking, received several falls, in one of 

which he sustained much injury, particularly a contusion on the head, which laid his 

skull bare to the extent of about three inches. He was taken home, and had medical 

aid, but without success; he died, after languishing a fortnight. Verdict, that “the 

deceased, in a scuffle, accidentally fell with his head against a stone, and that he died 

of mortification in consequence thereof.” 

November 8 th 1826 


At Ashcott, on Richard Whiting, aged 52, a farmer of Woolavington, whose death 

was the melancholy result of intoxication. It appeared in evidence, that on Friday 

se’nnight, the deceased had attended a Court Leet at Street inn, and that on his return 

through Ashcott, with two other persons, who were also much intoxicated, he had 

stopped at the inn, where they drank gin and beer. About nine o’clock in the evening 

they left that village, and whilst riding at a furious pace, deceased dropped from his 

horse, near the nine-mile stone, when, falling on his head, he received a concussion of 

the brain, of which he died the next morning. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

At Sherstone, in the parish of North Petherton, on Samuel Nash, an elderly man, 

who, whilst in the act of turning a winnowing machine, fell down in the barn and 

instantly expired. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Ashcott, on Polden Hill, on Elizabeth Traves, aged five years, who accidentally 

fell into an uncovered well in a garden. Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 



On Sunday se’nnight, at Voale Farm, in the parish of Mark, on the body of Gabriel 

Chapple, aged 18. It appeared in evidence that on Monday, the 30 th ult deceased was 

driving some pigs out of an orchard, and that he struck one of them (a large boar) 

twice, at which the animal became so much enraged, that he commenced a most 

furious attack on the young man, and actually penetrated his body to the depth of 

about two inches, fracturing two ribs, and lacerating the lungs. Mr Williams, an 

eminent surgeon, was sent for, who found deceased in the state above mentioned and 

about two feet of the intestines protruding from the body. The poor fellow languished 

until the Friday following, and then died of mortification. Verdict, “That the deceased 

died from the furious attack of a boar; which was declared a deodand, and of the value 

of 20s. The Coroner observed to the Jury, that he was sorry to call them from their 

homes on Sunday – that he never held inquests on Sunday, except from pressing 

necessity; and this seemed to be a case of that description, for several reasons, which 

he enumerated. 

At Pawlett, near Bridgwater, on Job Bastable, aged five years, who, on Saturday 

se’nnight, was so dreadfully burnt by a part of his clothes taking fire, so that he 

expired in a few hours, Verdict, Accidental Death. 

Death of Mr Welch. 

Our correspondent at Bridgwater sent us the following melancholy intelligence by last 

night’s post. “Mr Welch, the organist of this place (brother of Mr Thomas Welch, the 

celebrated Vocalist) on Friday morning was seized with a bowel complaint, and died 

on Saturday night, after an illness of only 38 hours – a friend of mine was with him 

for a quarter of an hour on Friday morning – he was then in perfect health - he died 

29

lamented and regretted by all – his friends adored him – those to whom he was only 

slightly known, respected him – he had no enemies. His abilities as a musician were 

of the highest order, and his talents procured him the respect and friendship of the 

principal residents in this town and neighbourhood – his loss will be felt deeply here – 

he was the principal support of our excellent choir, and of our delightful Glee Club.” 

November 22 nd 1826 


At Pitminster, near this town, on Sarah Drake, aged 62. It appears in evidence, that 

on Thursday, the 11 th inst deceased had been to Taunton Market, and that on her 

return she sat with a neighbour till between 11 and 12 o’clock, when she left the 

house, and appeared as well as her friend had ever observed her; and that was the last 

time she was seen alive. On the following Wednesday the neighbours, not having seen 

her for some days, became alarmed, and, on going to her lodgings, they found the 

door locked, with the key inside. On entering the premises, she was discovered in bed, 

a corpse; and it appeared that she must have been dead some days. 

At Brushford, near Dulverton, on Margery Cruse, aged 66, who was found dead. 

Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.” 

On Thursday last, as Mr William Govier, of Stowey, was returning home from 

Monksilver, his horse became frightened at a waggon laden with bark, which he was 

passing; Mr G’s leg got entangled with the wheel of the waggon, and in endeavouring 

to extricate himself he struck the horse with his spur; the animal immediately threw 

him, and he was taken up shortly after with his skull fractured. 


An inquest was held by Mr Caines last week, at Blue Anchor, near Watchet, on the 

body of John Cridland, aged three years, who was, on Thursday last, so much burnt 

in the absence of his sister, appointed to take care of him, that he expired on the 

following day. The Coroner animadverted upon the carelessness of the sister in 

leaving the child, and also on the culpability of the parents, who, it was supposed, in 

consequence of symptoms of idiotcy appearing in the infant, had left it to its fate, 

without sending for medical assistance. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

December 6 th 1826 


On Monday morning, an inquest was held at the White Lion, in this town, on the body 

of Mr Henry Newton, belonging to Messrs Parsons’ silk manufactory, who, on 

Sunday afternoon, suddenly fell down at the corner of Holway Lane, and immediately 

expired. The jury returned a verdict of – Died by the Visitation of God. 

On a child named Frances Gibbs, five years old, who was burnt on Friday, the 24 th 

ult and died on the Sunday following, at Williton near Watchet. It appeared in 

evidence, at the inquest held by Mr Caines on Saturday last, that the mother of the 

deceased had gone to the mill, and was absent nearly two hours, leaving the deceased, 

and another child under three years of age, in a room by themselves – that in her 

absence the clothes of deceased caught fire, and that the poor little thing ran into the 

street, enveloped in flames. Assistance soon arrived, and medical aid was procured; 

but the burns were so extensive, that deceased soon fell into a state of torpor, in which 

she remained till her death. Verdict – Accidentally burnt. 

30


An inquest was held at West Monkton, last week, on John Haddon, aged 77, who 

resided near the Eastern Turnpike Gate of this town. The deceased was crippled, but, 

in other respects, his bodily health was good. On Tuesday se’nnight he was engaged, 

up stairs, in sawing off the top of a bedpost, and whilst so employed the saw dropped 

from his hand, he fell on the floor, and expired without a struggle. Verdict, Died by 

the Visitation of God. 

Bridgwater. 

An inquest was holden this morning before Richard Anstice, esq. Mayor of this 

borough, at the Guildhall, on the body of William Taylor – it appeared from the 

evidence that deceased was employed in cracking stones on the turnpike roads, and 

was in the habit, with many other persons of the same description, of sleeping in the 

lime kilns near this town. Deceased was in company with one William Bulpin, about 

9 o’clock last evening, at Mr Tuttiett’s lime kiln, where Bulpin left him to go into the 

town for some provisions. On his return he discovered deceased lying on the stones in 

the bottom of the kiln; having obtained assistance, he was immediately taken out, and 

medical aid procured, but without effect. The Jury returned a verdict of “Died from 

Suffocation.” 



On Friday last, at the Half Moon Inn, at Wellington, on Ann Marshall, aged 10 years. 

It appeared in evidence that on the 11 th inst, the deceased was employed as a nurse 

maid at the Tone Dale factory, belonging to Messrs Fox, and being in the nursery or 

school room, with many other nurse maids and children, she had occasion to go to 

take something off the fire (a stove) the door of which being left open, the girl’s 

pinafore caught fire, and she was so dreadfully burnt that she expired on the 18 th inst. 

Verdict, Accidentally burnt. 

January 3 rd 1827 

Mr Caines the Coroner, held an inquest on the 27 th ult. on Stephen Hyatt, aged 46 

who was found drowned on the 23d as reported in our last. Verdict accidentally 

drowned. 


Mr Wm Lucas, an inhabitant of this town, was last night unfortunately killed by the 

upsetting of a gig in which he was returning from Bridgwater. The accident happened 

at Bathpool. 


In this town, on Thomas Payne, aged 35, late servant to Mr Kingsbury, coal 

merchant who died at the Hospital, in consequence of a compound fracture of the leg, 

by falling from a ladder, which slipped from the door of a hay loft – Verdict, 

Accidental. 

And at Halscombe Farm, in the parish of Kingsbrompton, near Dulverton, on John 

Mellhuish, a farmer of respectable connections, aged 72. It appeared in evidence, that 

on Monday, the first instant, deceased was on his way home from Exton, on the new 

road leading from Minehead to Dulverton, and that near the stop gate at Chilly 

Bridge, there being no fence whatever by the side of the road, which is considerably 

31

above the adjoining lands, the unfortunate man fell off the road to the depth of about 5 

feet and received a compound fracture of the right leg; and that he was not discovered 

until about seven o’clock on the following morning and in the evening of which day 

he died. The road being under the sole management of the Trustees, the jury returned 

a verdict “That the death was attributable to the neglect of the Trustees, or the 

Surveyor or Surveyors of the new Minehead Turnpike Road.” 


Dreadful Accident. 

The substance of the subjoined account was given in part of our impression only last 

week. Tuesday se’nnight, about eleven o’clock, as the Exeter coach was on it’s way to 

Bristol, the driver found the road impeded between this town and Bridgwater, by a 

waggon and a gig, the latter being upset. On the passengers alighting, they found one 

gentleman lying dead on the road, the fore wheel of the waggon having passed over 

his body, and another much bruised. The latter stated, that in attempting to pass the 

waggon, the wheels of the gig came in contact with a heap of stones that had been 

carelessly left in the road, by which means it was upset. The gentleman killed was Mr 

Lucas, of East Reach, in this town. 

January 31 st 1827 

Yesterday se’nnight, as Mr William Tremlett, a respectable farmer of Wembdon, 

near Bridgwater, was assisting to throw a tree, it fell upon him, and crushed him so 

dreadfully as to occasion his death. 

Inquests held by Mr Caines of Langport. 

At the Somerset Hotel, Wells, on William Lawes, late of Frome. It appeared that the 

deceased had come to Wells Session, to prosecute a person for picking his pocket; but 

that he had been in a state of intoxication every day from the time of his arrival. When 

the court broke up (nearly 12 o’clock) on Friday night, he was in the street still very 

much in liquor, where he remained in the same state, till 3 on the morning of 

Saturday, when he was taken into a wagon-house for safety. About 7 o’clock on the 

same morning he was found in the waggon house in a dying state, and he expired 

almost immediately afterwards. Verdict, That the deceased, having been in a state of 

intoxication and exposed to the inclemency of the weather, died by the visitation of 

God. In the course of Saturday, the prisoner whom the deceased had come to Wells to 

prosecute was tried, convicted, and sentenced to seven years transportation. 

At Lympsham, near Weston Super Mare, on John Notley, butcher, aged 43, who, 

while in a state of intoxication, fell from his horse into a pond, and was drowned. 

Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

On Saturday last a grave was ordered to be made in St Paul’s burial ground in Bristol, 

of 10 feet deep and width accordingly, and to be finished by ten o’clock in the 

morning. Fortunately, the undertaker was punctual to the time for the arrival of the 

corpse for interment the grave was found nearly filled up, and groans were heard 

coming from underneath. Assistance was immediately procured, and after digging 

some depth a hat and wig came up, and soon after the grave digger himself made his 

appearance; he was taken out in a very exhausted state, and carried home. 

An inquest was held at the Oxford Inn in this town by Mr Caines of Langport on 

Saturday last, on the body of Samuel Perry, a labourer aged 73, who, while in the act 

32

of collecting fuel on Thursday, suddenly fell down, and expired immediately. Verdict, 

died by the Visitation of God. 


Bridgwater. 

An inquest was holden yesterday morning, by Richard Anstice esq Mayor of this 

Borough, on the body of a female named Staunton, who was discovered on Sunday 

evening, lying dead on a flight of stairs in a house in York Buildings where she 

resided. She had been left about an hour and a half before, in perfect health, and it was 

the opinion of the medical gentlemen who were called in, that she had been seized 

with a fit of apoplexy. The jury returned a verdict of – Died by the Visitation of God. 

Ilchester Gaol. 

A conspiracy amongst the prisoners confined in this gaol, to break prison, was, we 

understand, a few days since discovered, and the discovery was made by a person 

about whom the public curiosity was for some time strongly excited. It will be 

recollected, that the execution of Thistlewood and the rest of the unfortunate wretches 

who were hanged and decapitated at the Old Bailey for high treason, the man in the 

black mask and sailor’s dress, who suddenly appeared on the platform with the knife 

in his hand, and separated each head from the body with so much dexterity was an 

object of very horrible interest. Various were the surmises about the identity of that 

individual, who, it was admitted, performed his duty as well as Botting ever did his, 

but conjecture was quite at fault, until the attempt, of which we have spoken, was 

made at the County Gaol of Somersetshire. A short while ago a gentleman named 

Clarke, who had walked the London Hospitals, was induced by the difficulties which 

the surgeons met with in their search after subjects, to volunteer in the service of the 

profession at the rate of £12 per head for the dead. He pitched upon one of the most 

extensive burial grounds in Bath for the scene of his operations, and took a very good 

house, the back windows of which looked into the churchyard, where he was “to burst 

the cerements of the sepulchre.” He commenced business in this abode of life and 

death with wonderful success. The graves gave up their tenants with scarcely the 

appearance of being violated, but by accident one of the departed was seen moving 

into Mr Clarke’s house one night at the two pair of stairs window. The fact could not 

long be concealed. The house was searched, and there was no longer any doubt as to 

the trade of the proprieter. He was apprehended and conveyed to Ilchester Gaol, 

where he represented to his comrades in misfortune, the impropriety of remaining in 

confinement, when they had an opportunity of going amongst their friends without 

any hazard. It is said that his proposal was, that each prisoner should put a stone, or 

any other heavy article, into his prison stocking (a thick worsted one) and salute the 

turnkeys with it about the head if necessary. The inmates of the prison thought well of 

this project, and every thing was arranged in the cause of liberty. Mr Clarke however, 

suddenly repented him of the suggestion, and in the apprehension that murder might 

be the consequence, very properly intimated to the officers of the prison what was 

going forward. The intentions of the prisoners were of course completely frustrated. 

Mr Clarke, to whom the visiting magistrates acknowledged the county was under very 

great obligations, was requested to state the particulars of his life, and amongst the 

most interesting, he mentioned that he had presided on the Old Bailey platform with 

his knife, when Thistlewood died, after Mr Botting had retired with his ropes. We 

understand that the case of Mr Clarke is to be forthwith represented to the Secretary of 

State, with the strong recommendations of the County Magistrates. 

33

(A Wm Clarke was admitted to Ilchester Gaol on 2/4/1826) 



At Cheddon, near this town, on Robert Ree, aged 69, who died on Monday week. 

Since his death it had been reported that he died in consequence of a blow from a 

farmer of that parish, but after a full investigation of all the circumstances, the jury 

were satisfied that there was no foundation for the report, but that his death was 

occasioned by inflammation on the lungs and they returned a verdict accordingly. 

At Tatworth, near Chard, on George Lawrence, aged 8 years, who being employed at 

the lace factory in Perry Street, on Wednesday, the 24 th ult. Having gone too near a 

stove, his apron (which had been saturated with turpentine and other inflammable 

materials was ignited, and notwithstanding many persons were in the room, he was so 

much injured that he expired the following day. 

At a cottage on Chard Common, on Robert Sparke, aged two years, who, on 

Saturday, the 27 th ult being left in a room where there was a fire, in the momentary 

absence of his mother, was so much burnt, that he also expired the following day. 

Veridict in each of the last cases, Accidental Death. 

February 21 st 1827 

A Man Killed by a Lion. 

On Thursday evening last, the following dreadful occurrence took place. At the Star 

Inn, Bedminster, was a caravan of wild beasts, and the keeper being in want of an 

attendant, a person who had from his infancy been accustomed to the business, 

offered his services on the Wednesday, and was accepted. He was, however, 

cautioned not to go within reach of any of the beasts; this caution he unhappily 

neglected. A party came to see the animals, and as the lion was asleep and did not 

appear willing to rise, the man imprudently went into his den. The beast suddenly 

awakened, and probably hungry and alarmed at the presence of a stranger, darted 

forward a paw, with which he seized the showman by the shoulder, at the same 

moment with the other he dreadfully lacerated the face. The miserable man cried 

piteously, and struggled to get loose, but his efforts were in vain, and the lion, now 

infuriated, seized him by the throat with his mouth, and held him in that situation until 

death put a period to the too horrible sufferings of the victim. A gentleman happening 

to pass, who lived in the neighbourhood, immediately brought his pistols; and another 

person called to a blacksmith, who had a piece of iron red hot, to afford assistance, but 

it was 20 minutes before the animal would quit his prey, although his mouth was 

much burned; at length the head of the unhappy man fell from his jaws, a spectacle 

too horrible for description, when the body was drawn from the cage. We understand 

that under ordinary circumstances the animal was exceedingly quiet and docile, so 

much so, indeed, that two women and two children had actually been in the cage with 

him on the preceding day. We hope this will be a warning to persons not to entrust 

themselves within the reach of such ferocious animals; and we should be glad to learn 

that the disgusting practice of hallooing down the throats of lions and tigers was 

discontinued – Bath Journal. 

From the Bristol Mercury we learn that the unfortunate victim was Joseph Kiddle, a 

young man twenty-five years of age, and a native of Sherborne, in Dorsetshire. 

The lion, Nero, is the same who refused to fight the dogs at Warwick, and that even, 

while chafed with the canine attacks, suffered his keeper to enter his den and caress 

him. As soon as the body of Kiddle had been removed, the lion, either from the loss of 

34

his prey or the injuries he had sustained from the hot iron, became dreadfully agitated. 

He lashed his sides with his tail, and sprang round his den with great force. He 

continued in this disturbed and violent state till midnight; since which he has resumed 

his usual peaceable demeanour. 

The editor of the Bristol Mercury subjoins the following observations:- “Exhibitions 

of beasts of this description are at once useful and interesting; they are the book of 

nature, in which the page of Natural History may be most faithfully studied; but we 

deprecate these rash, foolish, and worse than useless temptations of danger. Perhaps 

nothing is so uncertain as the temper of these powerful animals. Even those otherwise 

faithful creatures, the dog and cat, have been frequently known to bite the hand that 

fed them: how much more dangerous is it, then, to place oneself within the power of 

these half savage creatures, whose tempers are liable to excitement from accidents 

over which even the keeper can have no control. We recollect seeing a man enter a 

den with a lioness and tigress, and that each rested their head on his breast, and 

crouched at his side. The man afterwards expressed the fears he entertained at …nt, 

from the foolish act of some thoughtless person who was witnessing this 

extraordinary feat, and which, if it had attracted the attention of the animals, might 

have cost him his life. Even in this exhibition on Friday last, while a number of 

respectable persons were in the menagerie, the keeper was exhibiting a fine Leopard, 

which, on account of its tameness, he lets out in front of his cage. The hyena in an 

adjoining cage flew towards the Leopard, who turned upon his assailant. The keeper 

interfered, when the animal threatened an attack upon him, and the people were seen 

flying in all directions some with their children in their arms. Mr Hassell, a magistrate 

who resides near, has very properly interfered, and Mr Rochester (the proprietor of 

the menagerie) has promised that on no account will he incur the same risk with any 

of the animals in future. 


Sudden death at Frome. 

During Divine Service at Christ Church, on Saturday se’nnight, an elderly man, of the 

name of Roper, suddenly dropped down and expired; on the following day, as Mrs 

Ayres, relict of the late James Ayres, esq aged 90, was standing by her window, she 

was seized with apoplexy and died instantly; and Thursday, Walter Payne, at an 

advanced age, was found dead in his bed. 

Captain Manteo Abadiz, one of the Spanish Refugees who served under Lord 

Wellington with distinguished courage, has lately been an inhabitant of the Bristol 

Infirmary, labouring under a disorganization of the heart. He had since been 

convalescent; but, whilst taking his usual walk, a few days since, he fell down and 

instantly expired. 


An inquest was holden at the Crown and Sceptre, in North Town, on Friday last, on 

the body of – Hawkes, a labourer employed upon the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal, 

who left his lodgings on Wednesday night, to attend his work, and the nest morning 

was discovered floating in the Canal, near Fire-pool Weir. It was supposed that the 

wind blew his hat off, and that in endeavouring to regain it, he fell in, and was 

drowned. Verdict – Accidental Death. 

March 21 st 1827 

Suicide. 

35

On the night of Tuesday, Caroline Lloyd, an unfortunate female of the lowest class, 

threw herself from the towing path near the Old Bridge, Bath, into the Avon, and was 

drowned. She had been quarrelling with a male companion, and the irritation, caused 

by that circumstance and intoxication, led her to commit the fatal act. 

Saturday afternoon, the body of a gentleman was taken out of the Avon, near Bitton, 

lifeless; in his coat pocket was a gold snuff box, likewise a gold watch and chain, and 

silver spectacles were about his person. It was soon ascertained to be Mr Knubly, of 

the York Club House Bath, and the body was conveyed thither, to the inconsolable 

grief of Mrs Knubly and family; he committed the rash act in a fit of despondency, the 

occasion of which is not known. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him. 



At North Perrott, on John Story, aged five years, and at South Brent, on Eliza 

Weare, aged four years, both of whom died in consequence of having been severely 

burnt, the former by his pinafore taking fire, and the latter from having fallen out of 

her chair on her face upon the fire. This poor child languished a fortnight 

notwithstanding her eyes were nearly destroyed. Verdict in each case, Accident. 

At Curry Mallet, on an infant, found concealed in a ditch. It was first discovered by 

means of a pig which turned up the soil which covered it. A young woman, who 

resided in a cottage near the spot, had been some time ago suspected of being 

pregnant, and about six weeks since blood was discovered in a line from the cottage to 

the neighbourhood of the spot where the child was discovered, but there being no 

notice taken of it at the time, nor any other evidence, the Jury returned a verdict 

‘found dead, but how or by what means it came to its death no evidence appeared.’ 

The loss of the sloop Thomas, of Bristol, was mentioned in our last. The following 

additional particulars of this unhappy event have since transpired:- 

On Thursday, the 15 th instant, the sloop Thomas, of Bristol, Daniel Bird, Master, 

bound from Newport to this port, with a cargo of coals, owing to the dreadfully 

tempestuous weather, got on the Culver Sands, near the Steep Holmes, where she lay 

till the next tide, when the sea was seen from the shore at Burnham breaking over her, 

half mast high, and shortly afterwards the mast was seen to fall over her side, when all 

on board found a watery grave; and we are sorry to add that Mr H Crossman, an 

honest and industrious man, who kept the Fountain Inn, in this town, was on board at 

the time, with two other passengers who were on their way to Exeter, but whose 

names are unknown. Mr Crossman has left a wife, near her confinement, and seven 

children, to deplore his loss; a subscription is about to be raised for her and the family. 



On Wednesday last, at Wootten Courtney, on the body of James Burnell, aged 75, 

who, not having returned home from his labour at the expected hour, was, on search 

being made for him, found in a dying state on the road. Verdict, Died by the Visitation 

of God. 

On Friday last, at Crowcombe Heathfield, on the body of Sarah Jones, a child five 

years of age, who was found drowned in a pond, on a plantation of Robert Harvey 

esq. It appeared in evidence that a brother of the deceased had been sent nearly three 

fourths of a mile for water for culinary purposes, there being none of a good quality 

nearer the cottage in which the parent lived. The mother supposed that deceased had 

accompanied her brother, but on his return alone, apprehensions were entertained that 

36

some mischance had befallen her, and, on searching the contiguous grounds, the child 

was found drowned in a pit. The pit in which the body was found had not been fenced 

off. The Coroner and Jury viewed the spot, and were unanimously of the opinion that 

there had been great want of caution on the part of the parents in having suffered the 

child to go into so dangerous a situation, but it did not appear that the deceased had 

been sent for water on this occasion, although that was evidently the child’s object; 

the pitcher, which she took for the purpose, having been found floating on the surface 

– Verdict, Accidental Death. 

Last week a poor man dropped down from fatigue on his journey through Crewkerne. 

He was taken to the workhouse where he survived but a few days. It appears that the 

stranger was a native of Holland, and that he was travelling to London, to seek the 

means of returning to his native country; but a want of sufficient nutriment disabled 

him from proceeding farther. 


An inquest was held on Friday last, at the Oxford Inn, in this town, on the body of 

Agnes Baker, aged 19, who hung herself on Wednesday morning last. Deceased was 

an apprentice to a dress maker, from whom she had purloined some very trifling 

articles; and having been reproved for her offence, the dread of further exposure and 

punishment so afflicted her mind as to lead her to self destruction – Verdict, Insanity. 

On Sunday se’nnight the child of a labouring man named Snelling, of Shepton Mallet, 

in the momentary absence of her mother, caught up a tea-pot full of boiling water, and 

drank therefrom, so as to cause her death, shortly after, in the most excruciating 

torture. 


On Friday evening last, as Martin’s Bath Coach was returning to this town, one of the 

horses fell at Walford, and by the violence with which the animal came to the ground, 

a young man, named Holloway, was jerked from the box, and having pitched on his 

head, he received a concussion on the brain, which terminated his life at five o’clock 

the next morning. The deceased was the son of a person of the same name, who kept 

the Talbot Inn, at Bristol, and occasionally acted as a supernumerary coachman. He 

had unfortunately undertaken the care of the coach from Bridgwater only on the night 

of the accident. Mr Martin, the regular driver, having remained at that place. 

On the 14 th inst an Inquest was holden by Richard Anstice esq Mayor, on the body of 

an old man named Howell Davis, who was found dead in his garden the preceding 

evening. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

May 2 nd 1827 


On Saturday se’nnight, at Shapwick, on Polden Hill, on Joseph Sully, in the hundred 

and first year of his age, well known as a sievier. The deceased had been on Thursday 

to Bridgwater market, and while riding with two other persons in a light cart, the 

horse (a pony) fell on his knees, and the passengers were all thrown out in the road; 

when the old man received such a concussion, that he instantly expired without a 

groan or a struggle. It appeared in evidence that there were no obstructions on the 

road, and that no blame attached to any one. Verdict, Died of concussion from an 

37

accident. We understand that about a fortnight since the old man was met a few miles 

from home, and on being asked where he had been, he replied, “To Glastonbury, - 

where he had had a little business.” It seems he actually walked 12 miles that day. 

Execution. 

James Clase, better known by the name of Blue Jemmy, and Wm Hewlett, suffered 

the extreme sentence of the law upon the new drop at Ilchester, on Wednesday, 

having been condemned to suffer death at the late Assizes held in this town. James 

Clase appears to have been a very notorious character. He is said to have confessed 

having stolen no less than a hundred horses, and when the miserable man was 

informed that Mr Justice Park would become his Judge, conscious of having several 

times been arraigned before him, exclaimed “Then I am sure to be hanged.” He was 

at his last trial charged with having stolen a mare, the property of Charles Holcombe. 

It appears that Clase, otherwise Blue Jemmy, called at a public house, known by the 

name of the Crown and Anchor, in the parish of Misterton, kept by Mr Mills, having 

the horse with him. Mr Mills having heard of his fame as a horse stealer began to 

suspect that the horse was stolen, and enquired of him at what price he would sell it. 

Clase offered to dispose of the animal for £25, and afterwards was willing to take £19. 

Mr Mills, being certain that the mare was worth more than either of the afore 

mentioned sums, became more of opinion that it did not really belong to the prisoner, 

and consequently took an opportunity, unseen by Clase, to enter the stable and cut 

three notches in the mane of the horse, so as to be able to know it again. The prisoner 

in the course of the day took the horse and left the house. On the following day, a 

hand bill was left at the inn, offering a reward for the recovery of a mare that had been 

stolen. Mr Mills on reading the bill, found from the description that it must be the 

same which he saw in the possession of Blue Jemmy on the preceding day. He 

immediately made known the circumstance, and pointed out the direction in which the 

prisoner went. Clase, on finding himself pursued, left the horse concealed in a pit, 

where it was afterwards discovered. The animal was again brought to Mr Mills, who 

testified that it was the same which the prisoner brought to his house, and which he 

could certainly identify from the marks which he had made to the mane. The facts of 

the case being thus clearly stated, the jury soon found the prisoner guilty, and when 

the Judge proceeded to pronounce his doom, the miserable culprit several times fell to 

his knees and earnestly begged that his life might be spared. It is said that Clase had 

been brought to the bar nineteen times; he had been tried at Dorchester, Exeter and in 

this town. At a former Assize he was liberated in consequence of there being a dark 

spot found on the foot after a witness had sworn that all the feet were white. In early 

life, he lived as post boy at Salisbury, afterwards he joined himself to some gypsies, 

and at length began those practises that brought him to an untimely end; aged 52. Wm 

Hewlett, aged 23 was found guilty of having stolen 7 ewe sheep and 8 lambs, the 

property of Thos Thatcher, 10 lambs the property of William Thatcher, and five 

hog sheep the property of Christopher Lodge. This miserable man after being 

condemned, seemed to imagine that his was a very hard …. He said that he had never, 

previous to the commission of the above offence, stolen more than four and twenty 

sheep! Thus was terminated the existence of these unfortunate men. 

May 9 th 1827 

At Bridgwater, at an advanced age, Mr G Penny; he complained of a violent pain in 

the head, and before medical assistance could be procured, he was a corpse. 

38

Awful Visitation. 

On Saturday se’nnight, an inquest was held by Mr Caines, at Ridler’s Farm, in the 

parish of Dulverton, on Wm Webber, a farmer’s servant, aged 21. It appeared from 

the evidence of Robt Hill, a fellow servant, that on the Monday preceding, he was at 

work with the deceased and several other persons, in a field called Sanctuary Hill, 

where they were all employed in burning the sward – that about three o’clock in the 

afternoon, he was at the distance of about three land yards from the deceased, when he 

heard thunder at a distance, but saw no lightning – that it soon became dark, a few 

drops fell, and that he was instantly struck down, but by what means he knew not. 

Witness then stated, that after recovering his senses, on looking around, he saw 

deceased lying on the ground, naked, and soon discovered he was dead. A horse, 

which had been employed on the spot, was lying near, upon his back. He discovered 

that all the other party had left the field, and he then proceeded to the farm house, to 

tell the melancholy tale. On his way he met some of the persons, with whom he 

returned to the place where the awful event occurred. The sight was truly wonderful. 

The clothes of deceased were scattered in countless pieces around him – some driven 

into the earth, in an aperture of about two feet in diameter, and some much scorched. 

Deceased had received a wound on the back part of the head, and three or four on his 

feet; there were also some stripes extending down the body, and blood was oozing 

from the ears. Deceased had a watch in his pocket, the enamelled face of which was 

completely destroyed, and the machinery twisted in a singular manner. He had on a 

remarkably strong pair of shoes, with large nails in the bottoms, some of which had 

been forced out, and the upper leathers rent asunder. Near the spot where the horse lay 

was another aperture, similar to the one before described. None of the other persons 

saw any thing of the catastrophe, nor did either of them receive any injury. One of 

them, who was at a distance of about 50 land yards from deceased, stated, that he felt 

his hat move at the time of a remarkable flash of lightning, and that he and those near 

him left the field, to seek shelter at the farm. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

The horse continued in a torpid state until the following morning, when he was killed, 

there being no possible chance of his recovery. 

May 23 rd 1827 

An inquest was held by Mr Caines, on Wednesday last, at the White Horse Inn, 

Stogumber, on Richard Hall, a labourer, aged 53, who, on the previous Monday, was 

found drowned in a mill stream near that town. Soon after the Jury were sworn, the 

clergyman of the parish, the Rev G Trevelyan, entered the inquest room, and 

presented the Coroner with a paper; it was a bill for forty quarts of ale, two glasses of 

gin, and 4 ½d for tobacco, furnished the deceased at the house aforesaid, between 

Tuesday morning and Saturday evening, at which time he left the house in a state of 

intoxication. The Coroner expressed himself obliged by this communication, and said 

it should be duly attended to. In the presence of the landlord and his wife, the Coroner 

animadverted on their improper conduct; the deceased had been suffered to neglect 

his master’s business, had spent too much money for a man in his situation, and, in 

fact, had ultimately lost his life from their imprudence. Verdict, That being 

intoxicated, he fell into a mill stream, and was drowned. 

May 30 th 1827 

Fatal Pugilistic Contest Between a Father and Son. 

On Wednesday, an inquest was held at Culmstock, near Wellington, before Isaac Cox 

esq Coroner, on the body of Philip Stark, a shoemaker, aged 68, whose death was 

39

occasioned by very peculiar circumstances. It appeared that the deceased, who resided 

at Uffculm, had gone to Culmstock fair on Tuesday, and having spent the day, as is 

usual on such occasions, in drinking with his friends, was met by his son and some 

others at two in the morning of Wednesday, when an altercation ensued, and the 

father stripped to fight his son; some blows ensued, and the deceased having missed 

his aim, fell (according to some of the witnesses) over a bank; he remained there some 

time, almost in a state of insensibility, and died before medical assistance could be 

obtained. The evidence was very contradictory as to the particular fact of his falling, 

some of the witnesses attempting to criminate the son, by saying that he kicked his 

father in the bowels and side, and forced him over the bank; and others, that no such 

acts of violence were committed. The verdict shall be given in our next. 


Mr Caines held an inquest at the Full Moon, in this town, on Thursday last, on the 

body of – Lane a child about two years of age, who, on the preceding day, in falling 

backwards from a chair, received so much injury in its head, as to occasion death in a 

few hours – Verdict, Accidental Death. 

The Coroner’s Jury, assembled on an inquest at Culmstock, to inquire into the 

circumstances relating to the death of Philip Stark, aged 68, who was killed in a 

pugilistic encounter with his son (as stated in our last) returned a verdict of 

Manslaughter against the latter, who has been committed to the Devon County Gaol. 

Since his commitment, he has evinced the utmost sorrow for the fatal consequences of 

the unfortunate affair. 

Murder of a wife by her husband. 

A few days since, a couple, named Amesbury, who lived in or near the parish of 

Wedmore, in this county, whose employment was the buying and selling of turf, were 

at work in the adjoining moor, some angry words arose between them, in 

consequence, it is said, of the supposed adulterous or improper intercourse of the 

husband with some other women; these words ended in blows. The parties, however, 

returned home, when similar angry feeling and words again arose, which also ended 

in blows, in the course of which the husband gave the wife a blow which terminated 

her life on the spot! The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against the 

husband, who is fully committed for trial – Bath Chronicle. 

June 13 th 1827 

Yesterday, Mr Caines held an inquest at Exbridge Mills near Dulverton, on the body 

of Ann Hookworthy, aged two years. On Friday morning last, the mother had given 

the child a bit of meat, and observed at the same time a cat following the child about. 

In a few minutes afterwards, the child not returning into the house, the mother, on 

searching for her in the yard, discovered the cat looking very attentively into the mill 

stream, but where the child was not visible. On examining the stream, into which the 

unhappy mother plunged, and wading along its bed, she, at length discovered the 

deceased in the water, the rapidity of the stream having driven the body upwards of 

200 yards from the spot where it had fallen in. It is remarkable that the animal above 

mentioned as having been looking intently into the stream, has ever since continued 

its attachment to the spot, which it is ascertained must have been where the poor child 

fell in. The Coroner very properly censured the occupant of the property, for not 

better securing that part of the premises from accident, this having been the third case 

of drowning, at precisely the same place, that has happened within the last 15 years – 

Verdict, Accidentally Drowned. 

40

On Saturday last, as two men and a boy were in a boat at the mouth of our river, in 

consequence of being overladen, the boat went down; one of the men, named Baker, 

immediately sank; the other took the boy on his back and swam with him to shore, a 

distance of more than half a mile. Baker’s body has been searched for, has not yet 

been found. 

June 20 th 1827 


Thursday last, on Peter Maynard, aged 70. Deceased was by trade a plasterer; on the 

preceding Tuesday, he had ascended a ladder, to the height of about 17 feet, and, 

whilst in the act of reaching another, which was being handed to him from a person 

below, the poor old man fell, and, having fallen across an iron pan, he received a 

rupture of the intestines, of which he died on the following day. Verdict, Accidental 

Death. 

On Friday last, at Bicknoller near Williton, on Chas Carrot, aged seven months. 

Deceased, one of twins, was placed in the bed between the father and mother (who 

were paupers and lived in the Poor House) and early in the morning of Tuesday, the 

12 th inst was found dead. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Winsham, near Chard, on Saturday last, on John Reece, aged 20. Deceased had, 

on the preceding Saturday, attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor; from 

which cause he bled rather copiously; but, from the evidence of the surgeon (Mr 

Spicer) the wound, being above the windpipe, which was uninjured, did not cause his 

death which happened on the following Friday and in witness’s opinion, was 

occasioned by disordered brain and delirium. The jury consisting principally of 

respectable yeoman, returned a verdict accordingly. 

On Monday last, at Stoford, near Stogursey, on John Baker of Bridgwater aged 35, 

of whose melancholy fate was gave an account in our last, namely his being drowned 

on the 9 th instant, at the mouth of the river Parret – On Saturday the body was found 

on the strand, at a place called Hinkley Point – Verdict, accidentally drowned. 

June 27 th 1827 

Mr Caines, on Saturday, held an inquest at Merridge, in the parish of Spaxton, on Jas 

Porter, aged 33. It appeared, that on Wednesday last, deceased, his father, and 

brother, had been assisting at a sheep shearing, about two miles from their home, and, 

as is usual on those occasions, that the party had made rather free; deceased, in 

particular, was much intoxicated. In their way home, he fell several times; his father 

and his brother supposed, after he had slept a short time, he would return safe home, 

and they left him; but as he did not arrive by break of day the following morning, the 

father went to look for him, and found him in a state of apoplexy, of which he died in 

a few hours, Verdict, Died of apoplexy, from the rupture of a vessel on the brain. 

Bridgwater. 

On Wednesday last, as three men, in the employ of Mr Biffen of Crossmoor Mead, 

near this town, were returning from sheep shearing, much intoxicated, in consequence 

of some altercation, a wrestling match took place between them, and one of them was 

thrown, another man having fallen on him; the farmer was so much injured by his fall 

that he died on Saturday. The body has since been opened, and the cause of death is 

found to be the division of the intestines, which, from the force of the fall, are 

completely cut asunder. 

Lamentable Accident. 

41

On Monday se’nnight, three sons of Mr Taylor, brush maker, Arcade, of the different 

ages of 16,14, and 11, took their fathers horse from the stable, in order to have a ride, 

which they did alternately on the road near the Orphan Asylum; when the youngest 

(Alfred) was mounted, his feet were placed in the leathers, as the stirrups were too 

long for him. One of the brothers then unfortunately struck the horse, which feeling 

only the controul of a child, became restive, and threw his rider on one side, who hung 

by his foot in the stirrup; the horse now took fright and set off at speed, with the poor 

boy dangling at his side, until he reached the Black Horse, Stokes Croft, where the 

leather giving way, the unfortunate youth was left, a most affecting spectacle on the 

ground. The upper part of the head was gone, and the arms lacerated and broken. A 

Coroner’s Inquest was held upon the body on Tuesday, by Wm Joyner Ellis esq and 

a verdict of Accidental Death returned – Bristol Mercury. 

July 11 th 1827 

On Saturday evening, G Hall of Adsborough, near this town, in the employ of Mr 

Wm Warren of Clavelsey Farm, was thrown off a load of hay, in consequence of it 

being upset; he was conveyed home in a state of insensibility, and expired on Sunday 

afternoon, leaving a widow and two children. 

On Friday last, the corpse of a man, apparently about 40 years of age, was discovered 

in a field between the first mile stone from this town, and the village of Bishop’s Hull. 

The body, which it is said must have lain in that situation nearly a fortnight, was in a 

frightful state of decomposition. Nothing could be found in the clothes of the 

deceased that afforded any clue to his name or residence; but he is supposed to have 

been a mendicant, subject to fits, who, about three weeks since, was seen and relieved 

in the streets of this town. An inquest has been held on the remains, and a verdict of 

Found Dead returned. 

On Friday last, an inquest was held at the Dolphin Inn, in the parish of Weston, on the 

body of an unknown man, who appeared to be about 60 years of age. He was seen 

about 10 o’clock, Monday evening, walking to and fro near the gates, and on finding 

himself discovered, he muttered a few words, and walked quickly away. The 

following morning a hat was found by a boatman placed near the hedge, and in the 

course of the day some obstruction was discovered on shutting the gates, for the 

purpose of the passage of boats, and, on clearing it, the body of this unfortunate man 

was pulled up, his leg much shattered by coming in contact with the gates. On 

examining the body it was found that the throat was cut, but not so as to cause speedy 

dissolution. A knife was in his breeches pocket, shut up and bloody, the coat pockets 

full of stones, with three half pence. The jury were of opinion that he destroyed 

himself in a fit of insanity, and returned their verdict accordingly. 

July 25 th 1827 


At Milverton on Phoebe Seaman, aged 51. The deceased left her home with another 

woman on Saturday the 14 th inst to go out to a wood to gather some sticks, and in the 

wood they parted. Deceased was then in perfect health, and after some time had 

elapsed without her having returned, some persons went to look for her, and at length 

discovered her, lying speechless. She was conveyed home, but never spoke 

afterwards. Verdict – Deid by the Visitation of God. 

At Wiveliscombe, on William Allen, aged 33. It appeared in evidence, that 

Wednesday last deceased was employed in a slate quarry at Oakhampton, in that 

parish, with several other persons, some of whom were in the act of lowering a large 

42

mass of bile (a sort of slate stone) which appeared to be in a dangerous situation, and 

that in doing so, it fell in a different direction to what had been anticipated, and came 

in contact with the deceased, he received a compound fracture of the left thigh, and 

the principal artery having been materially wounded, he died at the dispensary (to 

which place he was immediately removed) in about two hours. No blame was 

attached to any one of the party who were on the spot, they having cautioned him of 

his danger. The deceased has left a distressed widow and four orphans. Verdict, 

Accident. 

At Minehead, on Catharine Jones, aged 53. Deceased was a pauper, and resided 

alone in an apartment of the Almshouse, in Market place lane. She was missed by her 

neighbours on Tuesday, and being called without making any reply, some of them 

went up stairs and found her dead, lying across the bed partly undressed. She had the 

preceding day complained of a pain in her ear, but in other respects she appeared as 

well as usual. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

On Friday at Bathford near Bath, on John Brewer aged 27. It appeared in evidence, 

that on Wednesday deceased was driving a stone carriage loaded with a block of 

stone, about 5 tons weight, on the turnpike road, and being in the act of reaching 

forward to place something on the carriage, he fell, and the fore wheel passing over 

his body he died instantly. Verdict, Accident: and a Deodand of five shillings on the 

wheel. 

At Bathampton, on Robert Fisher Jones, aged 48. Deceased was a pensioner, and 

amused himself in general with fishing. On Wednesday he was seen on the Canal 

bank, and said to a woman who passed by that it was too hot there, and he should go 

by the side of the river; his hat, handkerchief, fishing rod, &c were found on the bank; 

the body was not found till Friday, and then in a position nearly erect, his head a few 

inches under the surface of the water. He was a man of regular habits, and was 

respected by his acquaintance. Verdict, Deceased was subject to fits, and was 

accidentally drowned. 

August 1 st 1827 

Dreadful Accident. 

On Saturday as Mrs Giles, housekeeper to T Clifton, esq of Hatch Court, 

accompanied by Mrs Ashton and her little boy, were returning from Taunton market, 

about two o’clock in the day, in a light market cart, driven by a lad about12 years of 

age, the horse took fright near Mare Elm Turnpike, and set off at full speed. Mrs Giles 

leaped out of the cart, and escaped without much injury, Simon Smith, the gate 

keeper, observing the horse coming towards the Turnpike, with the view of stopping 

the animal, endeavoured to close the gate, but, before he had time to fasten it, the 

horse rushed against it with such violence, the poor man was dashed to a considerable 

distance, and so dreadfully injured, that he survived the accident but a few hours. The 

deceased was a very inoffensive man, and a faithful servant, having been for many 

years a collector of the tolls at the station where he unhappily met his fate. The death 

of his grandson, occasioned by a fall on Bathpool Hill, we mentioned a fortnight ago; 

and the son, who was also until lately a collector of tolls, but now a very trust worthy 

servant in the employment of Mr J E White, brewer, of this town, has now to lament 

the 12 th relative, whom he has followed to the grave within the last thirteen months! 


At the Workhouse at Wiveliscombe, on Joan Nurcombe, aged 60. This poor woman 

had been subject to flatulent complaints, and the digestive organs appeared to have 

43

lost their functions. She dropped down on Monday evening, and died without a groan 

or struggle. 

At Nortonfitzwarren, on Henry Borrow, iron founder, aged 34. This man expired on 

Monday also, and in precisely the same manner as mentioned in the above case. 

Verdict in each case, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Sampford Brett, near Watchet, on Cornelius Chedzey, aged 68. It appeared in 

evidence, that on Saturday, the 21 st instant, deceased went with some letters to the 

Post Office, at Monksilver, in the evening, and about ten that night, he was sitting by 

the road side, about half a mile from his home, but that he made no complaint, and 

that on the following morning, at about four o’clock, he was found in the same place 

in a dying state, and that he died almost immediately. 


On Sunday last, Geo Bussell, of the parish of Otterford, who had been a patient at the 

Fivehead Lunatic Asylum, and had only left it on the preceding Tuesday, hung 

himself in a hay talet, on the premises of Mr Smith, of Middleton Farm, Clayhidon. 

The parish officers of Otterford had taken him out of the care of the respectable 

proprieter of the Fivehead Asylum, and placed him as a labourer, under Mr Smith. 

The deceased, who was about fifty years of age, it is supposed, did not like his change 

of situation from inactivity to hard work, and, while his master was at church, took the 

opportunity to destroy himself in the way stated. Mr Cox, of Honiton, held an inquest 

on the body the same day, and the jury returned a verdict of Lunacy. 


At Gortnell, near Wellington, on John Honniball of Oak, baker, aged 23. Deceased 

had formely been subject to fits, and on Friday morning he was found by his father, 

dead, by the side of the road in the parish of West Buckland. Deceased had been 

driving a cart in which he had some bread, and the cart being met by the father 

without a driver, he went on, anxiously fearing something had happened, and the 

melancholy result was as we have above stated. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of 

God. 

At Minehead, on Shifner James, aged 33. It appeared in this case that the deceased 

on Thursday, at about midnight, was employed with other persons, in clearing out of 

the harbour, the Shannon sloop, of Waterford, that he was in the boat alone, and 

having fallen overboard, he was drowned. Search was instantly made for him, and 

continued for some time, but he was not found until Friday morning. Verdict, 

Accidentally drowned. 

At Fivehead, near Langport, on Jacob Taylor, aged about 10 years. The cause of 

death in this case was principally attributed to the narrowness of the road (only 13 feet 

wide, exclusive of a causeway) and here unfortunately, on Monday week, two wagons 

happened to meet, on one of which the deceased and the driver were sitting; and the 

latter having endeavoured to draw in his team, the near wheel struck against a stone, 

which caused a sudden jerk, and the deceased being thrown on the road, the fore off 

wheel went over his leg, which was dreadfully lacerated, and although no fracture was 

the consequence, the poor lad died of mortification early on Wednesday morning. 

Verdict, Accidentally Killed, and a deodand of 10s on the wheel. The Jury presented, 

that the highway (a road very much used, particularly by lime wagons) was 

insufficient in width. The conduct of the driver of the wagon was very properly 

censured; and we understand he is to be summoned before the magistrates at their 

next monthly meeting. 

44

On Thursday, William Spiller, a labouring man, of Combe St Nicholas, while at a 

place called Mill Court, in that village, suddenly dropped down, and immediately 

expired. The deceased was about 50 years of age, and had previously exhibited no 

appearances whatever of indisposition. 

August 22 nd 1827 


On Thursday last, at Curry Rivel, on Robert Cousins, aged nine years; deceased 

attempted to get a piece of timber which was being drawn on a carriage on the 

turnpike road, but having missed his hold, he fell backwards, and the near hind wheel 

passing over his head, the skull was so much fractured, that he died instantly. No 

blame whatever was to be imputed to the driver, who was in the proper place. Verdict, 

Accident, deodand on the wheel, ten shillings. 

At Chipstable, near Wiveliscombe, on Agnes Yeandle, aged 46; deceased had been in 

a state of lunacy and distraction, for a long time, and about six months since, she 

made an attempt at suicide, but failed to destroy herself. Since that event, she had 

been in the Exeter Asylum, but received no benefit there, and for some weeks, had 

been home with her husband. On Friday last she called at a neighbour’s where she 

contrived to secrete a razor, with which she inflicted a wound across her throat, and, 

some hours afterwards, she was found dead, weltering in her blood, with the razor in 

her right hand. Verdict, Lunacy. 



On Monday se’nnight, at the George Inn, North Petherton, on – Jenkins, aged 26, 

who, on the previous Saturday, was found drowned in the Canal near the hamlet of 

Huntworth. Part of the clothes of the deceased were first discovered by the side of the 

Canal, and afterwards the marks of the shoes he had on, when found, were so distinct 

as to leave no doubt that the person had thrown himself into the water. Mr Joseph 

Prew, of Bridgwater, gave evidence that deceased had been living with him for some 

months – that at intervals he certainly evinced symptoms of mental derangement, and 

that on the day previously to his committing the melancholy act, he had discharged 

him for getting intoxicated. Verdict, Drowned himself in a moment of Lunacy and 

Distraction. 

On Thursday, at Ashill Inn, near Ilminster, on John Durman, aged 73. Deceased 

lived at a place called Cupid’s Isle, on Ashill Forest, and used to attend this market 

with fruit. On Wednesday last, he mounted a ladder for the purpose of picking pears, 

and, whilst standing on a branch of a tree, the limb split from the trunk, and deceased, 

having fallen on his head about 12 feet, received a violent concussion of the brain, of 

which he almost instantly expired – Verdict, Accident. 

On Friday, an inquest was holden by Richard Anstice, esq on the body of Peter 

Chamberlain. The deceased had returned home very much intoxicated the previous 

evening; and had fallen from the top of a flight of stairs; he was conveyed to bed, and 

in the morning was found dead. Verdict, Died from Excessive Drinking and the 

Effects of a Fall. 

On Friday at Bridgwater Mr Dyer of Bath, whilst at breakfast he broke a blood vessel 

and expired in a few minutes. 


45


At Bickham, in the parish of Timberscombe, on J Gregory, aged 46. Deceased was 

employed, on Monday week, in conveying wheat on horseback, and whilst preparing 

to load one of the horses, the animal kicked the deceased on the breast, whereby the 

breast bone was fractured, and the poor man received so much internal injury as to 

cause his death on the following Friday. Verdict, Accidentally killed by the kick of a 

horse, which was declared deodand 30s. 

At Minehead, on Mrs Sarah Bailey, aged 73, sister of the late Mr Ball, of Williton, 

Coroner. Deceased had been for some weeks on a visit at her niece’s, Mrs Cross, and 

on Wednesday last had taken her breakfast, when she appeared in perfect health, and 

had stated that she was going to market. Shortly after this, one of the female servants, 

having gone into the garden, found her corpse. 

At Upton, on Brendon Hill, on Henry Palmer, aged 42, son of Mr Palmer, of Sperren 

Farm, in the parish of Huish Champflower. On Saturday morning, deceased was 

assisting some other persons in carrying faggots out of Billiscombe Wood, and whilst 

so employed, having two on his back, weighing only about 70 lbs, fell down and 

instantly expired. Verdict, in each case, Died of Apoplexy, or other sudden Visitation 

of God. 

Sir, I have recently met with The Examiner, in which I have seen some statements pro 

and con, relative to the renumeration of Coroners, and in that paper of the 26 th inst I 

observe a copy of a letter to the Editor, giving, what I have no doubt is a correct 

statement of the number of inquisitions, miles travelled, &c &c by a brother Coroner 

in a neighbouring county (Wiltshire); and I confess I am pleased to see such a fair, 

manly, expose of facts, so minutely detailed. This has induced me to turn to my 

accounts of inquisitions taken, miles travelled &c and I find that they shew a 

corresponding discharge of duties performed, and of inadequate remuneration. Now, 

since the subject has been so banded about, and so many mis-representations made of 

what the Coroners receive I take leave to annex my statement of inquisitions, and 

miles travelled, for the last three years, ending Michaelmas Sessions, 1826:- viz 

Years Inquisitions Taken Miles Received for Amount Received 

1824 95 1711 £159 3 3 

1825 107 1968 180 17 6 

1826 123 2239 206 19 3 

=== ==== ========= 

325 5918 £547 0 0 

Not paid for returning 5918 

==== 

11,836 

If you should think proper to publish the statement of the Wiltshire Coroner, I see no 

reason why mine should not appear at the same time. At all events you have my 

consent to give it publicity, and I pledge myself to its veracity; and I beg to add an 

instance of the manner in which I was employed in one week, a short time since. 

I left home on a Monday morning to go to Dulverton, in the vicinity of which place I 

had to hold an inquest on the following morning. The distance from my house is 40 

miles, and after using the utmost diligence, I reached home on the Wednesday, about 

noon. In the course of that night, I was called out of my bed to proceed to Wells, and 

from thence I had to go to Bicknoller, near Watchet. On my return to Taunton, I 

received a letter, requiring my attendance at Lady Bridport’s, at Cricket, and on 

46

Saturday night, I returned home, thus actually travelling in six days 197 miles, for 

which (as travelling expenses), I got from the county £4 3s 3d and not a shilling more, 

either directly, or indirectly, except four pounds for the four inquisitions, the same as 

the Coroners were paid eighty years ago. At that time there was no house tax, nor 

window tax, nor horse tax, nor gig tax, nor servants tax, nor a great number of other 

etceteras which I will not trouble you with naming. 

A great deal has been said about the county rates falling so heavily; yet it cannot be 

denied, that the amount paid out of the county rates to the Coroners is trifling 

comparatively speaking. For the years 1824, 1825 and 1826, the annual average 

amount to the three Coroners was only £457 15s 1d. Now the impression on my mind, 

is, that the day is arrived, when a petition for an increased remuneration to Coroners 

would be signed by thousands of the very persons (in this county), who contribute to 

the county rates, and I confess I should like to know what answer the House of 

Commons would give to such a petition. 

For the present I have not leisure to say more on this subject, only that if your readers 

will trouble themselves to peruse these statements, very little more will be necessary 

to convince them that the Coroners are not fairly paid. 

I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, 

R P Caines, Coroner 

Langport, August 30, 1827. 


On Thursday, Mr Caines held an inquest at Pitminster, on the body of Elizabeth 

Oaten, a child about 18 months old, who, on the preceding Monday, had fallen from a 

bed room window, and sustained such serious injuries, that she expired the next day. 

Verdict, Accidental Death. 

Bridgwater 

An inquest was held on Friday last, by Mr Caines, on the body of a man aged 86, 

named Thomas Williams, who had gone to Wembdon, for the purpose of picking 

apples, and was found dead. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

Execution of Four Persons. 

On Wednesday last was presented at Ilchester the melancholy spectacle of four 

unfortunate persons undergoing the last awful sentence of the law, viz John Burton, 

Wm Kerslake, T Wiltshire and Wm Latcham. Elizabeth Dix (accomplice with 

Wiltshire, in robbing her master, Mr Jameson of Larkhall) was sentenced to be 

executed at the same time; but, owing to the successful efforts made by some 

gentlemen of Bath, a reprieve arrived for her on Tuesday morning. Richard Lovell, 

71 years of age, and Wm Southwood, for burglary, were also, we understand 

reprieved. Burton, it will be recollected, was a travelling tinker, convicted for 

assaulting and robbing a poor man, named Bartlett, at one of the fairs in this county. 

He was at the head of an organised band, who were in the habit of infesting fairs, and 

committing the most atrocious assaults upon those who happened to fall in their way. 

Kerslake was a native of Beaminster, the only worthless member of a large and 

industrious family. He was convicted of robbing the house of V Stuckey, esq banker 

of Langport, and stealing a quantity of plate, &c to the amount of nearly £300. From 

his youth he had been addicted to vicious habits, and had before undergone sentence 

of seven years transportation, for robbing a cloth manufactory at Ilminster. The 

prisoners, after condemnation, yielded to a sense of their awful situation and received 

47

the greatest attention from the Rev Mr Valentine, the chaplain; from Mr Hardy, the 

keeper, and from the officers of the prison; to all of whom they expressed their 

gratitude. During the greater part of Tuesday night they were in fervent prayer, and 

slept but little. Early in the morning they were conducted to the chapel, where the 

sacrament was administered to them; after which prayers, as usual, were read in the 

chapel to the whole of the prisoners. At half past eleven, the preparations being 

completed, the unhappy culprits were conducted to the scaffold, where, after joining 

in fervent prayer with the chaplain, they were launched into eternity. Latcham and 

Wiltshire died almost instantly; but Kerslake and Burton appeared to suffer much:- 

The concourse of spectators was unusually great; there were, it is supposed, nearly 

10,000 present. 

At Westbury upon Trym, near this city, at a very advanced age, of hydrophobia, 

Susanna Powel, a pauper of that parish; she was bitten by a dog about three months 

since, at the time supposed to be mad; to remedy the ill effects of which, she 

underwent the horrible and superstitious process of being dipped, almost to 

suffocation, in salt water. The above fact is made public to record another victim to 

this most dreadful malady, and to show that no reliance can be placed upon salt water 

dipping to obviate its deplorable effects – Bristol Mercury. 



At Tatworth, in the parish of Chard, on Wm Lush, aged 11 years, who, with another 

person, on the 8 th inst. was driving an empty wagon on the road leading from 

Bridsmore Gate, in the parish of Thorncombe, towards Chard, and near Sadborough 

Pound; deceased by some means fell, and one of the near wheels having gone over his 

body, her was taken up senseless, and carried to his home at South Chard, but her 

expired on the road. 

At Chard, at the Pack Horse Inn, on Mary Honeybond, aged 21. The circumstances 

of the death of this poor unfortunate woman (a loose character) were singularly 

remarkable. On Monday, the 11 th instant, she was seen at Chard market with a basket 

selling pears; she was also seen on the Tuesday following leaving Chard, and going 

on the Honiton new road, and on Thursday last she was discovered in a very 

extraordinary manner by a farmer’s servant, dead, under a wheat mow, which, on the 

night of the Tuesday before mentioned (a very rough night it might be recollected) 

had been blown off the staddle, pitching nearly in an erect position; it seemed pretty 

evident that the deceased must have gone there for shelter, and that the mow fell on 

her, and from the weight and pressure of the corn and the timber frame on which the 

mow was placed, she was so dreadfully crushed that she must have expired instantly. 

At Ilminster, on Mr Thomas Satchel, of the firm of Ash and Satchel, coach builders. 

It appeared in evidence that on Tuesday, the 18 th instant, deceased, his partner, Miss 

Ash, and a man named Collard, were returning from Martock races in a pony phaeton, 

and that in going down a declivity leading from Martock to Petherton Bridge, the 

carriage having pressed against the hind part of the horse, the animal became 

unmanageable, and drew the phaeton against some stones, whereby all the party were 

thrown out, and deceased received a concussion of the brain; he was placed in a car, 

and conveyed home with great care, but he expired in the following day. Verdict in 

each case, Accidental Death; and in the last mentioned, Deodand on the horse, twenty 

shillings. 

48


Sarah Ellis, a servant at no.12 Paragon Buildings, Bath, in charge of the house, was 

found Saturday se’nnight, in the passage dead; it is supposed she had been dead four 

days as she had not been seen since the preceding Monday. As no marks of violence 

appeared on the body, the medical gentlemen were of opinion she died of apoplexy. 

Bridgwater 

On Wednesday, Jacob Watson esq held an Inquest on the body of a woman named 

Sarah Taylor, who was found drowned in our river, that morning. She had been 

observed on the banks of the river the previous evening, and her pattens found there 

by a boy; a relation stated that she had laboured under a depression of mind for two 

years, and had frequently appeared rather wild in her demeanour. Verdict. Drowned 

herself in a Fit of Insanity. 

Inquest by Mr Caines 

At the Barracks, in the town, on Sergeant Robert Sayers, aged 64, who died suddenly 

on Friday evening last. 

At Wellington, on Sarah Thorne, aged 82, who occupied two apartments on a ground 

floor, in which she resided alone, and was found dead in her sitting room on Friday 

morning. Verdict in each case, Visitation of God. 

At Milverton, on John Sealy, aged 66, who for the last thirty years acted as clerk of 

the parish, and was much respected. On Monday se’nnight, deceased was driving a 

pony cart from Lovelinch Farm towards his home; when, opposite Bunhill Copse, one 

of the wheels was drawn against a bank, the cart completely turned over, and the poor 

man was found dead, with the side of the cart lying across his body; in which state he 

must have been more than an hour before he was discovered. Verdict – Accident; 

deodand on the horse 20s. 


On Monday se’nnight, the clerk of the parish of Milverton was hired by the Rev Mr 

Gardiner, to take him in a carriage to the neighbouring town of Wiveliscombe, 

when, yielding to a propensity to which, it is said, he was much addicted, he got 

intoxicated; in that state he left Wiveliscombe and some hours after was found dead in 

the road, under his vehicle. 

October 31 st 1827 

On Wednesday last, an inquest was held by Mr Caines, at Fivehead, near Langport, on 

Mr William Cozens, aged 69, a native of that parish, where he held some landed 

property, and where, on Monday last, while visiting his tenant, who was a near 

relative, he was found dead in the garden. The deceased was some years since a 

wholesale mercer in Broad Street, London, but had latterly resided in Jersey, and in 

France. It appeared in evidence, that the deceased had latterly complained of pains in 

his head and stomach, that he had been making arrangements to call on a surgeon in 

the morning, to consult a physician at Taunton, and that he got up rather earlier than 

usual, and appeared cheerful; about a quarter before nine he left the house, and about 

eleven he was found dead as described. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 


49

A shocking accident happened on Leckhampton Hill on Wednesday. Two boys, on 

about seven, and the other about ten years old, were at play on the rail road where the 

trams loaded with stones descend; one of the trams was descending with upwards of a 

ton of stone, being let down by a windlass, when the rope broke, and the team came 

down with the greatest velocity, and killed both the boys on the spot. The father of 

one of them was working the windlass. 

An accident, fatal in termination, lately occurred at Buckfast Flour Mills, near 

Ashburton:- Mr Hannam, while in the act of setting the bunting, with the mill in 

work, was dragged among the machinery; two persons were present, but such was the 

power of the water wheel, that it was with considerable difficulty he was extricated; 

his thighs were broken, and his body and legs dreadfully lacerated; in this state he 

lived two days, when death terminated his sufferings. 


At Ashcott, on Polden Hill, upon Ann Buttle, aged three years. It appeared in 

evidence that the mother of the deceased had been recently confined, and on 

Wednesday last she was alarmed by the cries of the deceased and another of her 

children, aged five years, and that on some neighbours having also been alarmed, they 

ran into the house, where they found the deceased enveloped in flames, and so 

severely burnt, that she expired in a few hours. Verdict, Accidentally burnt. 

At Luckham, near Porlock, on Elizabeth Hole, and elderly woman, an inmate of the 

Poor house, who had for many years been casually employed by the worthy Rector, to 

whose house she appeared to have been bending her course on Monday se’nnight, and 

was found by one of the domestics in the shrubbery, speechless, and in a dying state. 


November 21 st 1827 


Yesterday (Tuesday) at Combe Florey, on J Williams, aged 46, a sergeant in the staff 

of the Somerset Militia, who, early on the preceding morning, was found dead on the 

turnpike road leading from this town to Minehead. From the depositions of witnesses, 

it appeared that the deceased attended Divine Service in this town on Sunday, and late 

in the evening proceeded to Combe Florey, to visit a relation. It also appeared that he 

had for some time been subject to spasmodic affections, and being found without any 

marks of violence, or of his having struggled &c the Jury returned a verdict of – Died 

by the Visitation of God. 

Thursday last, at Lympsham, on the body of Mary Coles, aged six years, who was 

burnt in a dreadful manner on the 3d inst. and expired early the Tuesday following. 

On Saturday she was buried, without any inquest having been held, and the next day, 

information having been sent to the Coroner, at Langport, he caused the body to be 

disinterred on the 15 th , when it appeared from the depositions taken, that her death 

was occasioned by her clothes accidentally having taken fire. The Jury returned a 

verdict accordingly. 

At South Brent, on W Hurford, aged 15, who, on the 13 th inst., was riding a horse 

most furiously in the parish of Mark, when, in turning a corner, the animal fell and the 

boy, having pitched on his head, received a concussion of the brain, of which he died 

the following day. Verdict, Accident. 


50

It is expected that the shipping in the Bristol Channel has experienced great damage 

from the late violent gales. A dead body was drifted on shore, near Uphill, on Sunday 

last. 

On Thursday last, an inquest was held by Mr Caines at South Braden, near Ilminster, 

on George Dalley, aged two years, son of William Dalley, sawyer. It appeared that 

the dwelling house was under repair, and that a door-way had been recently made 

close to the river (a branch of the isle), the door of which had been temporarily placed 

in an oblique manner, and the deceased having crept through a small aperture, must 

accidentally have fallen into the river, in which he was discovered drowned by his 

mother. Verdict, Accidentally Drowned. Braden is a very small parish, in which there 

is no church, chapel, or burying ground, and, in this case, the body will be interred at 

Puckington. 


Mr Knight, on behalf of one of the Coroners for this county, who, by reason of his 

pecuniary difficulties, has been for some time incapacitated from attending to the 

duties of his situation, obtained leave from the Lord Chancellor, on the 8 th inst, that 

the order for his dismissal might be suspended till after the Epiphany Sessions, when 

the Coroner had no doubt he should be able to perfect an arrangement with his only 

detaining creditor, and resume the active functions of his office. 

The dead body which was drifted on shore near Uphill, (as mentioned in this paper of 

the 5 th instant,) was that of one of the crew of the Flying Fish, of this port, which was 

totally lost on the Culvers about a fortnight since – the rest of the crew saved 

themselves by swimming to land. 



At Charlinch, near Bridgwater, on Joseph Sully, aged 63. the deceased was employed 

on Thursday, with another man, in rooting up and throwing down an ash tree, which 

falling before it was expected, and in a contrary direction from that which was 

intended, fell across the body of the deceased, whereby he was so dreadfully crushed 

that he expired on Saturday. 

At North Petherton, on Francis Richards, aged 10 months. The death of this child 

was rather singular, having fallen on his face, into a frying pan, just taken off the fire, 

in which there was a quantity of fat, nearly in a boiling state. The accident happened 

on the 7 th instant, at which time the sufferings of the infant were very great; but he 

soon became tranquil, and continued so until Sunday, when he suddenly expired in the 

arms of his nurse. Verdict in each case, Accidental Death. 

January 2 nd 1828 


At the Lamb Inn, near Ilminster, on Samuel Hake, aged 77. Deceased had been, for 

five weeks, on a visit to his daughter, at Langport, and, on Sunday se’nnight, was 

returning home to Combe St Nicholas, accompanied by his son in law, Wm Berry, 

with whom he lived. A horse was lent him, on which he rode as far as he chose, but 

had sent it back, and was walking on the turnpike road, near the mile-stone at 

Broadway Hill, when he exclaimed, “I cannot walk! I shall fall down!” when he 

dropped and instantly expired. Verdict – Died by the Visitation of God. 

At the Castle Inn in the parish of Buckland St Mary, on John Gush, aged 65. The 

most material witness in this case was John Wyatt, who stated that on Friday, the 21 st 

51

ult he was cutting furze on Buckland Hill, and saw the deceased at work, at the 

distance of about 100 yards. In about two hours afterwards, on looking again in that 

direction, he observed him on the ground, making an effort to get up, but seemed 

unable to do so. He went to him, and discovered that his dissolution appeared fast 

approaching; he then procured assistance, and removed him to his lodgings at the Old 

Castle (formerly the Inn) where he expired in about an hour after. Verdict as in the 

above case. 


Inquest by Mr Caines of Langport 

On Friday last at St James’ workhouse in this town, on the body of James Shattock, 

aged 73 who on the 25 th September last, fell downstairs at Chelston Heathfield, near 

Wellington and received such severe injury in his head and legs, that, after a lingering 

illness, two months of which he passed in a state of delirium, he died on Wednesday. 



Inquest – At Porlock, on John Fry, aged nine years. Deceased, with another child, got 

into the mill house at Bossington Mills in the absence of the miller, and was amusing 

himself by riding round on part of the mill work, when he fell, and was drawn by the 

machinery between the lanthorn and the cog wheel, by which means the mill was 

stopped, which led to a discovery of his situation, and it was half an hour before he 

could be released. A surgeon was sent for; but the sufferer expired in about two hours. 

Verdict – Accidental Death. 

Robbery and dreadful murder at Bath. 

Early this (Sunday) morning, Jan 27, about two o’clock, the neighbours and 

watchmen in Marlborough buildings were alarmed by the reports of pistols and 

repeated cries of murder, which were found to proceed from a window of No 16 in the 

above named buildings. On the arrival of the watchmen and others, and having gained 

an entrance, a dreadful spectacle presented itself, the servant – a fine young woman, 

nearly 30 years of age, was lying on the floor in the kitchen, with her throat cut from 

ear to ear, quite dead. The servant who had fired the pistols, was in his bed room and 

the door screwed together; the servant was awakened by the noise of the screwing, 

and fired first of all through the key-hole. The thieves, it appears, nothing daunted by 

this, had not only committed the horrid murder above described, but had regaled 

themselves with what wines and spirits they could meet with in the kitchen, and 

packed up several things ready to carry off; but, in consequence of the arrival of the 

watchman and some of the neighbours, it is supposed that they decamped without any 

plunder. The poor servant, it appears, had not retired to bed, and had come down stairs 

alone for the purpose of getting some water to wash her feet; but the mistress and 

likewise the man servant had been in bed some time. The darkness of the night 

favoured the escape of the robbers, which was, no doubt effected through the field at 

the back of the house. The alarm had been dreadful for Mrs Cox, the inhabitant of the 

house, who is a lady highly respected. She and her two servants were the only persons 

in the house. The murderers have left a large bludgeon by the side of their victim. 


The murder in Marlborough Buildings, Bath – Confession of the Murderer. 

We last week gave an account of a horrible murder that had been committed on the 

person of maid servant, at the house of a lady named Coxe, in Marlborough 

52

Buildings, Bath. On a Sunday week an inquest was held on the body, and it having 

been supposed that the crime had been committed by some persons who had broken 

into the house, and who, upon the alarm, had made their escape, the Jury returned a 

verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. Subsequently, 

strong suspicion fell on the butler, R Gilham: but it was not until Thursday that any 

thing of a positive character, sufficient to warrant his committal, was discovered. The 

following particulars are derived from the Bath Journal, of Monday last:- 

“It was ascertained that Gilham had some property secured in a room at the back of 

Northampton street; and this circumstance, coupled with his declaration, when 

questioned by one of the jurymen on Sunday, that he had no property except what was 

in Mrs Coxe’s house, led immediately to strong suspicion of his guilt; and, in order to 

make sure that the statement of his evidence was correct, the Mayor sent Wilcox and 

Mr Curry down to the prison, to put the same question to him again, when he 

unequivocally reasserted the same. He was, in consequence, again brought up for 

examination; and on entering the Mayor’s room, and seeing the property he had 

stowed as above stated, which consisted of three hampers, three boxes, a frail basket, 

and a large saucepan; altogether as much as two chairmen could bring in twice on 

their horse, he became much agitated; and on their being opened, and the contents 

shown to him, his spirits sank, and he fainted away. Some water was brought to him 

in a basin, when, having twice sipped a little, he, with an eagerness that betrayed a 

tremendous internal fever, swallowed the whole contents of the basin. After this 

followed a further examination, and still so prevaricating were the prisoner and his 

wife, that it was with the utmost difficulty the Mayor, Mr George, and others, who 

put questions to them, could elicit the truth. The first hamper opened contained 

seventeen bottles of wine; the other hampers contained china, earthenware, and tin 

ware; &c in great variety; two of the boxes contained candles, one moulds, and the 

other dips; the other box contained knives and forks, fire-irons, chamber candlesticks, 

a patent corkscrew, and various other articles. 

On his return to prison, after this examination, there was an evident alteration in his 

appearance. He asked for a Bible, and requested a person present to read to him. And 

the next morning (Friday) the prisoner requested the assistance of a clergyman; in 

consequence of which, the Rev Mr Marshall, chaplain to the prison, was sent for, 

who, on entering, found the prisoner with the gaoler in attendance. Upon the 

Reverend Gentleman’s saying that he understood the prisoner wished his assistance, 

and that he had something to communicate, he desired to know whether or not he 

wished it to be in private. Upon his replying in the affirmative, the gaoler of course 

withdrew; and the Revered Gentleman, having desired that he would communicate his 

wishes, his reply was – “I cannot pray, for I have been a very wicked man and have 

done many acts that are very improper, more particularly as regards the robbing of my 

mistress.” Upon which the Chaplain, in the most delicate manner remarked, “There 

must be some more heinous offence weighing heavily upon your mind, besides this”. 

At which remark the prisoner’s lips quivered, and he became so agitated, that he was 

near fainting; and the gaoler was called upon to give him a glass of water, After 

which, nothing further was stated by him. The Chaplain, of course, immediately 

communicated the purport of this interview to the Mayor; and on Saturday morning, 

at eight o’clock, the Chaplain again visited the prisoner, when he made a full 

confession of his guilt. He stated, that there had been repeated quarrels of late 

between the deceased and himself, in consequence of her declaring her belief that he 

had been purloining her mistress’s property; and that, on the Saturday night at half 

past eleven o’clock, he was in his pantry packing up some things when the deceased 

53

came down again, and accused him of bad practises, and finished by saying “Well, 

I’ve quite enough to hang you.” That he immediately seized a stick and struck her a 

blow upon the back of her head; deceased then turned round, and clung to him round 

the neck; and so strong did she hold him that he could not shake her off. That he then 

pulled his penknife out of his pocket, and cut her throat. (It is generally supposed the 

prisoner is incorrect here, and that he must, after having felled his victim, have cut her 

throat with another knife, in order to effect his malignant purpose securely, as the 

neck was cut into the vertebrae, and the knife had made an inclusion into the bone.) 

“Saturday morning, the Mayor attended early, and the prisoner’s confession was 

reduced into the regular legal shape; but the prisoner was in such a deplorable state of 

mind and body, as to be unable to stand, and quite unable to sign his name; the same 

was therefore signed by the magistrates, as having been witnesses to it. Nearly the 

whole of the day was occupied in examining over again all the witnesses in the 

presence of the prisoner; and the Mayor told the prisoner to cross-examine the 

witnesses when he thought fit. 

“The whole of the property stolen had been conveyed to the room he had taken as 

above stated, by the prisoner himself, after dusk, on the Thursday, Friday, and 

Saturday evening previous to the committal of the horrid deed. And when it is 

recollected with what effrontery the prisoner made such cautious statements before 

the coroner’s jury, on Sunday, as could not in the least implicate himself, the enormity 

of his crime seems tenfold more dreadful. A more deliberate murder than it now 

appears to be was never recorded in the annals of crime. He now, whether justly or 

not, we cannot say, admits nothing that will not tend to screen his wife”. He says that 

all the derangement in the house, the bursting open the door, the fixing the gimblet at 

the door at the bottom of the garret stairs, &c were all done by himself, and that his 

wife knew nothing of it. He did not use the bludgeon that was found by the side of his 

victim; he struck her about the head with another stick, by which severe blows were 

inflicted, and then burnt it. He then placed the stick where it was found, by her side; 

because, having the appearance of a faggot stick, he thought it would prevent 

detection. 

‘Various circumstances now transpire to show, with more forcible evidence, the truth 

which the wretched man has confessed. Had practised burglars been so dreadfully 

brutal as to have glutted themselves with wine after the murder was perpetrated, they 

would have been less cautious than this cold blooded monster, who did not leave, with 

one trifling exception on the parlour floor, a stain of blood anywhere about the 

premises – not even where the wine was stated to have been drunk; nor was a drop of 

wine spilt upon the table. 

“The examination closed at seven o’clock on Saturday evening, when the prisoner 

was fully committed for trial at the next Taunton Assizes. He was removed to the gaol 

in a sedan chair; and so inveterately did the populace show their abhorrence of the 

heinous crime he had committed, that, notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of the 

officers, they broke the glass of the chair to pieces. 

“Mrs Coxe, the lady at whose house the horrid scene was acted is the widow of the 

late Charles Coxe esq of Lypiat, near Stroud and is 83 years of age. She is now, we 

understand, tolerably composed, and will shortly leave Bath.” 


On Saturday last an inquest was held by Mr Caines, at the Market House, in this town, 

on Mrs Sarah Langdale, aged 63. At three o’clock in the afternoon, the Jury 

(consisting of fifteen respectable inhabitants) assembled, and being sworn, the 

54

Coroner stated that this inquest was demanded by him in consequence of a letter 

received, the previous evening from a respectable person, which conveyed to him 

information that the deceased had died on the preceding Tuesday, and that there were 

circumstances attending her death which rendered it necessary that an inquest should 

be held. Mr Rodber, surgeon, wished to know from whom the Coroner obtained his 

information, when Mr James Turle (one of the jurors) replied, “It was I who sent the 

letter.” After a few other preliminary observations from the Coroner, the inquest was 

proceeded in, and the following was the substance of the evidence:- That the deceased 

(who was a widow possessing property to some considerable amount) was about to 

be married, and the day fixed for the wedding was Monday, the 11 th instant – that on 

Sunday, the 28 th ult., she accompanied her intended husband to Wellington and back 

again, and in the course of the night she was taken ill. On the following morning she 

was attended by her medical friend, who treated her medical complaint in the usual 

manner, not then suspecting any immediate danger; she was also visited by the person 

who was about to marry her, who administered a little wine, and occasionally some 

gin and water, on the Saturday – two glasses. On Sunday she became insensible and 

speechless, and on Tuesday she expired. It soon became known that the deceased had, 

in May last, made her will, and had appointed her medical attendant (Mr Rodber) one 

of her executors, when reports, very prejudicial to the character of that gentleman, 

soon became prevalent throughout the town. Two other medical gentlemen attended at 

the inquest, and the head having been opened, and these gentlemen having heard the 

whole of the evidence, they gave it as their opinion that the deceased died of serious 

apoplexy, occasioned by over-excitement and that the treatment and conduct of Mr 

Rodber were judicious and honourable. At eight o’clock the jury returned a verdict – 

Died by the Visitation of God. 

An inquest was lately held by Isaac Cox, esq, Coroner, at Clivehaves Farm, in 

Churchstaunton, on the body of Robert Harris, a fine youth, aged about fifteen years, 

who was found that morning, suspended to an apple tree, in an orchard belonging to 

the farm. Deceased was an apprentice, bound by the parish of Churchstaunton, to Mr 

Richard Blackmore, a respectable farmer and maltster, with whom he had lived six 

years, during which time, he had conducted himself with great propriety, and his 

master was much pleased with him. On the morning of Wednesday, Mr Blackmore 

went from home, having previously given directions to the deceased, to rack a 

hogshead of cider, and look after some malt. He racked the cider, and attended to the 

malt, and left his master’s house about 12 o’clock; at two in the afternoon, he was 

seen in the meadow belonging to the farm, setting mole-traps. He did not return in the 

evening, and the family went in different directions to find him but without effect. He 

was discovered on the following morning, as above described, in an orchard called 

West Wood, some distance from the farm quite dead. When found, he had a mole trap 

with a mole in it, in his hand. The jury returned a verdict of felo-de-se, and the 

Coroner ordered him to be privately buried in the church yard of Hemyock, within 24 

hours of the finding of the inquest, and between nine and twelve o’clock at night. No 

cause for this rash act could be traced, except a slight rebuke he received from a 

young girl in the house, for whom it seemed he had formed some attachment. 

On Saturday, died at Cannington near this town, the Revd Robt. Eyton, aged 84. 

Although he died possessed of nearly ten thousand pounds, his life was marked by 

nothing more than his frugality or rather stinginess; he resides in a house of his own at 

Cannington, and kept no servant, but performed all the menial duties himself. His 

55

horse was turned out at night to graze on the hedges by the road side, and every 

market day brought him to this town; on that day, his general practise was (if not 

invited anywhere to dinner) to buy a penny loaf, and then, to go to the butter stalls in 

the market and taste the contents of several baskets, and this constituted his meal for 

the day; sometimes however he made his visits to the cheese market for the same 

purpose. His death was the consequence of a broken thigh and during his illness he 

employed no less than ten surgeons discharging them immediately after their first 

visit; he has been known frequently after having had medicines sent him by his 

medical men, to return them with a request that he might have credit given for them in 

his account; when taken to his room after breaking his thigh, it presented a scene 

which rivals description, his bedding consisted of a bed and sheet, the colour of which 

was scarcely distinguishable from that of the ground, and in the corner of the room 

was a collection of filth, the proceeds of the sweepings of his room which took place 

once a week; he had been never known to buy any other joint of meat than a breast of 

mutton which was hung up on his chimney corner to dry, and a slice cut off each day 

as it was wanted. 

On Wednesday se’nnight, as the wife of Mr Langton’s coachman, of Combhay, was 

passing over the locks of the canal with her husband’s linen, which she was conveying 

from Southstoke, she fell into the water and was drowned. The deceased was far 

advanced in pregnancy, and has left three young children. 

Murder of Maria Bagnall at Bath – Further particulars of the murder. 

(from the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette of the 5 th inst). 

On leaving the room in which the examination took place Gilham was conveyed into 

the Officers Room, and on arriving there, exclaimed to those who were about him, 

“Well I know they’ll hang me for this; but thank God I am innocent of the murder!” 

On this, Mr Bourne, the keeper of the prison, who was present, observed to him, 

‘Don’t say a word about it – don’t add lies to crime.’ The prisoner made no reply to 

this; but remarked, “Ah! We (alluding to his wife) have been like bees during the last 

summer, collecting our honey; and now like bees, I suppose our hive will be 

destroyed and our honey taken.” After this conversation, it appears he never once 

denied he was the murderer. 

Among other circumstances which transpired, was the following. In the course of the 

day Mr Bourne had seen the wife of Gillham, who acknowledged to him that her 

husband’s returning up stairs to bed, on the night of the murder, she thought he 

appeared much agitated. She strove to ascertain the cause of it, but was repulsed; and 

her husband told her “not to say a word to Nanny (their old fellow-servant) about his 

going down stairs;” and added, that she must say, “he had not gone down stairs at all; 

and that he went to bed before she did.” And on the examination before the Coroner’s 

jury, as well as subsequently at the Hall, the statement was made by both of them. 

Shortly after five o’clock on Sunday morning, Gillham was conveyed in a chaise 

under the custody of Wilcox and Humphries, the Mayors officers, to Shepton Mallet 

gaol; there to remain until the approaching Assize for Somerset, which will be holden 

at Taunton on the 27 th of the next month (March); when the wretched culprit will 

take his trial for the enormous crime which he has perpetrated. 

Richard Gillham is a native of Taplow, Buckinghamshire. He was born in May 

1803, and is consequently now in the 25 th year of his age. He is about five feet eight 

inches high, and of stout make. He had lived five years, previous to his engagement 

with Mrs Coxe, with the Rev. Vansittart Neil, and left that gentleman’s service with 

an excellent character. One of his brothers, a young man of respectable appearance, 

56

and has for many years filled the situation of gardener to a gentleman of Burnham in 

Bucks, with credit to himself, came to Bath on Saturday for the purpose of seeing 

him. In consequence of his application, he was apprized by some of the officers that 

he might see the prisoner on the following morning, when he would be conveyed to 

Shepton Mallet gaol. The afflicted brother of Gilham accordingly repaired the 

following morning to the Wells road, and awaited the arrival of the chaise near 

Devonshire Buildings, where a painful interview took place, but nothing of 

importance transpired. 

After all, the public will naturally be anxious to inquire what could be the motive 

which could thus induce one servant – and that a man – deliberate to plan the death, 

and eventually to raise his murderous hand against his fellow servant – a woman, 

living under the same roof with him. 

We believe we have the means of satisfying inquiries upon this head. In the first 

place, Gillham had married his present wife, while both were in the service of Mrs 

Coxe, unknown to that lady. This circumstance was, however, at length 

communicated to Mrs Coxe by the deceased; who also, from time to time, mentioned 

other particulars to her mistress respecting Gillham’s wife. There can be likewise no 

doubt that Gillham was aware that his dishonest practices were known to Bengall; and 

as, by indulging a habit of listening to the conversations of his mistress and her own 

maid, he has overheard the communications of the latter respecting his wife, and 

probably about himself also, his enmity towards the deceased is at once accounted for. 

Certain it is, that both he and his wife were under notice to quit Mrs Coxe at the time 

of the murder; and as his wife had cherished an expectation of getting an annuity at 

her mistress’s death, the disappointment of this hope by the dismissal of her and 

himself must have still further increased his hatred of Bagnall, and supplied an 

indictment to revenge. Indeed he acknowledged after his commitment that he had long 

contemplated her destruction; and, dreadful as the idea is, that he eagerly embraced 

the first opportunity of effecting it. 

We hear that, in the event of the capital conviction of Gilham at the ensuing Assize, a 

strong application will be made to have the execution carried into effect in this city. 

The circumstances that the screams, which the poor creature uttered when her 

murderer was attempting to effect his diabolical purpose, were not heard by any other 

person in the house, is accounted for by the fact, that the only person who might have 

heard them was Mrs Coxe, who slept in the back attic; but this, her extreme age and 

attendant deafness effectually prevented. The only two other persons in the house 

were the old housemaid (also very deaf) and Gillham’s wife, both of whom slept in 

the garrets; and being shut in by the door at the bottom of the garret stairs, no sound 

from the kitchen could ascend to them. 

The remains of the murdered woman were on Wednesday morning interred in Walcot 

burial ground, a vast concourse of persons attending the funeral. 

A sister of the deceased, with her husband, arrived here last night. In consequence of 

their having removed their residence from Hammersmith to Brompton, the post letter 

acquainting them with the dreadful fate of their relative, did not reach them: but they 

accidentally read the paragraph of the murder in a neighbour’s newspaper on Sunday 

evening last; when they took the first Bath coach yesterday morning. The deceased 

has no parents; her mother died six month since; but she has two surviving sisters. 

Early on the Monday morning succeeding the murder, Mr Gahagan, the sculptor 

residing in the Walks, in this city took a model of the body of Maria Bagnall, as it lay 

in the midst of its blood, and the resemblance in every particular is understood to be 

remarkably accurate. Mr G. likewise took a model of the head after the hair was cut 

57

off, which shew all the wounds that were inflicted; these were seven in number on the 

head, besides one on the throat. The skull was not bruised; but the blood inside the 

head was found to be coagulated from the effect of the blows. The head was opened 

by Mr Gore, the surgeon. Mr Gahagan has also taken a model of Gillham the 

murderer. 

Feb 20 th 1828 

The Bath Murder. 

It is satisfactory to find that since the committal of the wretched man, Gillam, to 

Shepton gaol, he appears to have become duly sensible of the enormity of the crime 

he has already confessed, and his behaviour has been altogether that of a sincere 

penitent. On his way to prison, however, he evinced an earnest desire to extenuate his 

guilt, saying that ‘he was driven to it by the bad temper of the deceased.’ He also 

acknowledged to the officers, that had he even left the service of his mistress without 

accomplishing the murder, he really thought he should have found some other 

opportunity of carrying his horrid purpose into effect. His wife after leaving Bath on 

Thursday se’nnight set out for Shepton Mallet for the purpose of seeing him, and had 

since had several interviews with him, through the grating. She has returned to Bath, 

and not gone into Herefordshire, as previously stated. Gillham expresses himself 

perfectly satisfied with his treatment in the prison, and takes his regular food and rest. 

The chaplain visits him daily, and pronounces him to be very penitent. The prisoner 

has sent an order for his wife to receive the monies belonging to him in the Saving’s 

Bank, as well as the wages due him from his mistress. 


At Puriton, near Bridgwater, on Daniel Pople, aged 68. Deceased was a cordwainer, 

and lived in a house by himself. He was missed by his neighbours on Wednesday last, 

and, on his not appearing as usual, on the following day, a person called at the house 

several times, without receiving any reply. At length a ladder was placed against the 

bed-room window, when it was discovered that he was dead. Verdict, Died by the 


At Durston, near this town, on Monday last, on Joseph Davey, a boat boy, aged 15. In 

the night of Saturday, deceased was employed in driving a boat-horse from 

Bridgwater to Creech. The boat was laden with 37 tons of coal, and did not arrive at 

Creech until six o’clock on Sunday morning; shortly afterwards the boy was sent back 

with the horse, which, it is conjectured, he was riding under the bridge, near Buckland 

Farm – a practice not unusual, but extremely dangerous, the towing-path under the 

bridges never having been intended for riding upon. In this manner, it is supposed, he 

must have fallen off the horse into the Canal, where, about seven the same morning, 

he was found drowned by the side of the towing path, nearly in a standing position. 

Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

By the 3d article of the Regulations of the Navigation on the Canal, persons 

navigating a boat thereon, between one hour after sun-set and an hour before sun-rise, 

are subject to a penalty; and it is highly necessary that this regulation should be 

strictly adhered to, for many reasons. It is not improbable that the poor boy, above 

mentioned, may have fallen asleep from fatigue, and that he might, in this way, have 

come in contact with the arch of the bridge, there being a slight contusion on his 

forehead. 


58

The election of a Coroner for this county, in the room of Mr Peter Layng, who has 

resigned; will take place on Wednesday next, March 5 th , at the Town Hall, Ilchester. 

The address of Mr Ashford, of Castle Cary, and Mr West, of Shepton Mallet, who, 

some time since, declared themselves as Candidates for the situation, appear among 

our Advertisements. The latter Gentleman announces that he does not intend to offer 

himself on the present occasion, while the former (Mr Ashford) actively renews his 

canvass. As Mr A enjoys an excellent reputation, is most respectably connected, and 

powerfully recommended, his ultimate success may be regarded as almost certain. 


On Tuesday se’nnight, at Chard, on Charity Anning, aged 50, who was found dead 

in her bed, on the preceding Sunday, without having suffered under previous illness. 


On Thursday, at the George Inn, Crewkerne, on Mr Wm Budge, who, on the 

preceding Tuesday night, about ten o’clock, fell from his horse, on Chillington Down, 

between Chard and Crewkerne. The deceased, who was an industrious and respectable 

young man, had recently entered on Haselbury Farm, and had that day been attending 

a sale at Mosbury, for the purpose of purchasing stock. It was clearly ascertained, on 

opening the head, that the deceased died from the rupture of a vessel on the brain. A 

brother of the deceased was but a short distance behind him when the accident 

happened, but did not see him fall. Verdict, Accidental Death; Deodand on the horse; 

40s. 


A youth 15 years of age in the employ of a miller at Lydeard St Lawrence was 

unfortunately rode over, from his horse taking fright, on Monday last, and survived 

the accident only four hours. 

The inhabitants of Wellington, within the last fortnight, have had, almost daily, 

melancholy intimations, by the tolling of the church bell, of the decease of some of 

their townspeople. The destructive career of the smallpox, we hear, in a great 

measure, account for the distressing mortality, in otherwise, a very healthy town. 


On Thursday last, Mr Caines held an inquest on the body of Isaac Clement, aged 15, 

who, whilst riding on the back of a horse, drawing a cart, at Nethercott, in the parish 

of Lydeard St Lawrence, was thrown off, from the animal’s taking fright, and the 

wheel of the cart passing over him, he received such severe injury that he expired in 

the course of a few hours. 

The fact but not the particulars, of this accident were given in our last. The jury 

returned a verdict of Accidental Death: deodand on the wheel, 2s 6d. 

Election of Coroner 

On Wednesday last, the Election of Coroner for this county commenced at Ilchester. 

About nine o’clock in the morning, Mr Lovell, the Under Sheriff, attended at the 

Town Hall, where a large and respectable body of the Freeholders were collected, and 

entered on the business of the day by stating that they had assembled for the purpose 

of electing a Coroner in the place of Mr Laing, whose unfortunate circumstances had 

compelled him to relinquish the office, which he had for many years most ably filled. 

He added, that those gentlemen who intended to propose the candidates should obtain 

a free and impartial hearing. After the reading of the writ, &c had been finished. 

59

Sir Alexander Hood rose to propose Mr Daniel Ashford, as a fit competent person 

to fill the office of Coroner. Mr Laing’s misfortunes having deprived the country of 

his valuable services, he felt the greatest confidence in asserting that the candidate 

whom he had the honour of proposing and who was a person of the highest 

respectability., would not, in the performance of his duty, fall short of his predecessor. 

He likewise added, that Mr Ashford would comply with the wishes of the electors to 

reside in any part of the country where his services might be most required. 

Mr Jillard seconded the nomination of Mr Ashford, and said that Mr Ashford’s time 

would be exclusively devoted to the duties of his office. 

Dr Shaw rose and proposed Dr Spencer, a person, he believed, of the strictest honour 

and integrity, and, as he considered, well calculated to fill the vacant situation. 

Mr Murly said, he rose to propose Mr Burnard, young gentleman of great 

respectability, and one of a numerous and respectable family well known in this 

county. He had received a liberal education and is by profession a surgeon; had 

regularly attended the hospitals and anatomical schools of London and Paris, and is a 

Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He (Mr M) considered him a person well 

adapted for the situation, and felt assured that his young friend would discharge the 

duties of the office with patience and vigilance. 

Mr Isaac Sparks, in seconding the proposition of Mr Murly, said, his young friend 

to all appearance promised well; and felt confident he would perform his duty with 

credit to himself and advantage to those who elected him. 

After a desultory conversation between Sir Alexander Hood, Mr Murly, and others, as 

to the residence of the future Coroner, and the profession best adapted for the office. 

Mr Jillard observed, that he thought the Coroner should reside in the Eastern part of 

the county – about twelve miles from Bath - that point being near the Collieries, 

where accidents so frequently occurred. 

Dr Spencer, who was on the right of the Under Sheriff, rose, and as a freeholder of the 

county, begged to second the proposal of Dr Shaw. For his own part he thought 

himself particularly well calculated for the situation, as he had been brought up to the 

medical profession, and he had obtained some knowledge of the law from frequent 

experience, having had no less than eleven law suits on his hands at one time (a 

laugh). 

The Under Sheriff then requested to know if there were any other candidates to be 

proposed, and there being no reply, a show of hands was immediately obtained, which 

was decided to be in favour of Mr Barnard. A poll having been demanded. 

Mr Ashford said, if he should succeed in procuring the situation for which he stood a 

candidate, he would be willing to reside in any part of the county which the 

freeholders might be pleased to appoint. 

Mr Tomkins, surgeon of Yeovil, addressed the freeholders in favour of Mr Burnard. 

For twelve months he (Mr B) had resided with him as an assistant, and he could 

decidedly testify that Mr Burnard was a man of integrity and honour. 

Dr Spencer immediately resigned; and the following is the state of the poll up to 

Saturday evening. 

Wed Th Frid Sat Total 

Mr Burnard 273 382 314 164 1133 

Mr Ashford 135 269 217 214 865 

At the close of the poll, on Monday, Mr Burnard’s majority was reduced to 238; and 

at three o’clock on Tuesday, Mr Ashford was only 35 below his opponent – the state 

of the day’s poll to that hour being, Ashford 332 – Burnard 129. 

60

At the close of poll on Tuesday, Mr Burnard’s friends announced his resignation, and 

Mr Ashford was declared duly elected. Some indiscreet friends of Mr Burnard, by the 

issue of an intemperate placard, accelerated the result in Mr Ashford’s favour, by the 

disapprobation it excited among all respectable persons. 


On Thursday last , Mr Caines held an inquest on the body of Abraham Collins, aged 

15, who, on the preceding day, while driving a cart with a load of elm saplings, and in 

the act of turning a corner at a place called Deadman’s Cross, Corfe Lane, Ditson, in 

the parish of Pitminster, from the horse turning too quickly, and the wheel taking the 

bank, was killed by the upsetting of the cart. Deceased was found under the load, and 

taken out, dead, in about half an hour after the accident. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

The body of the deceased we learn, was culpably allowed to remain exposed at the 

roadside, while an officer of one of the two parishes, the boundaries of which 

happened to be just about where the deceased was found, came into this town, to 

ascertain the precise situation of the limits, in order that no unjust funeral charges 

might be made on the parish rates! 

Election of a Coroner for the County of Somerset. 

The warm and spirited contest for this office, which commenced on the 5 th inst. was 

terminated on Wednesday, the 12 th , by the election of Mr Ashford. In consequence of 

the resignation of Mr Burnard on the preceding night, messengers were dispatched to 

various parts of the county, to apprize the Freeholders in the interest of the former 

gentleman, that their attendance at Ilchester had been rendered unnecessary. Their 

suffrages, if an opportunity of voting had been afforded them, would have greatly 

increased the majority in his favour, even on Wednesday’s poll. His opponent, 

therefore, prudently discontinued a struggle, from the protraction of which, he could 

only anticipate a more signal and complete overthrow. After Mr Ashford had been 

duly sworn in and chaired, he proceeded, accompanied by many of those who had 

actively supported his cause, towards his residence at Castle Cary. On their arrival, 

within four miles of that place, they were met by a respectable body of yeomanry on 

horseback, who having formed themselves into regular order, preceded the carriages; 

as they advanced, the numbers increased, evincing by their spirit and enthusiasm, the 

delight they felt, at the triumph of their favourite candidate. At the entrance of the 

town, the horses were taken from the carriage, on a box of which Mr Ashford was 

seated, and the people themselves drew him through the streets amidst the 

acclamations of thousands. The town itself presented a sight which must have been to 

him most gratifying, every house, nay, every cottage, even the humblest, was 

decorated with branches of laurel. At the habitations of the more wealthy, flags and 

ribbons were tastefully arranged among these victorious emblems. The ladies were 

seen on every side displaying blue ribbons and waving their handkerchiefs. 

Their presence contributed in no small degree to heighten the animation and the gaiety 

of the scene. The bells rung a merry peal, and the cheerful strains of an excellent band 

of music exhilarated the hearts of the joyous multitude. When the procession was 

concluded, a party of the friends and supporters of Mr Ashford assembled at the 

George Inn. Several gentlemen addressed the company on the subject of the recent 

contest, and congratulated them on it’s successful issue. This event they attributed 

solely to the prompt and spirited exertions of those numerous and respectable 

individuals, whose kind and effectual aid on this occasion deserved the highest praise 

and the warmest gratitude. Many appropriate toasts were given and drunk with re- 

61

iterated cheers. Nor were the humbler classes forgotten, hogsheads of strong beer and 

cider were distributed among them; mirth and good humour universally prevailed. In 

short, one feeling only appeared to pervade all ranks, namely, that of heartfelt joy at 

the triumph, which the cause of Mr Ashford had obtained. 

April 2 nd 1828 

Inquests 

Mr Ashford of Castle Cary, on Friday held an inquest on the body of Eliza Tanner, 

an infant 14 months old. The mother of the infant having been engaged in an affray 

with another woman, the child it is supposed, sustained some injury on the occasion 

and died in consequence. Verdict. Accidental Death. 

And on the following day at Nempnett, on the body of Thomas Patch, a respectable 

farmer aged 53, who having gone out to serve his cattle, was found dead in the field 

by his neighbour; the deceased had been in an ill state of health for some time. 

Verdict. Died by the Visitation of God. 


The first prisoner put to the bar was a labouring man named James Bough, charged 

with slaying and killing Benjamin Hamilton, by throwing a stone, which mortally 

wounded him in the temple, on Monday, December 10. It appeared in evidence that 

on the above day a quarrel took place between two individuals of a drunken party. 

James and Offer, who were beginning to fight it out, when the prisoner (who, if he 

may possibly have the phrenological hump of combativeness, certainly had no 

physiognomical criterion whereby we might judge him out to be of that disposition, 

for he had an perfectly simple and good looking countenance), interfered for the 

purpose of preventing the fight; whereupon, a man of the name of Wilcox, alias 

Morgan came forward to remonstrate with Bough for his interference, which 

involved another quarrel between him and Bough; the former taking a stick out of 

Bough’s hands and beating it about his head, for attempting to destroy a good fight, in 

which he took great delight; he told them therefore to stand back and fight it fairly 

out. They accordingly did so, while Bough went to the wall at the side of the road; and 

after the fight, Wilcox came up to him for the purpose of again assaulting him, 

holding a stick in a menacing attitude; and Bough, having no more lawful weapon 

with which to defend himself than that of a large stone, which he took from the top of 

the wall, held it up as a counteracting menace, threatening that if it were a cannon 

ball, he would shoot it through the body of any man in his own defence. Wilcox 

remained, notwithstanding, in his redoubtable attitude, and was going to lay the stick 

upon his person, when Bough threw the stone, directing it to Wilcox’s right arm, in 

which he held the stick, which, missing him, struck Benjamin Hamilton in the 

temple as aforesaid, and mortally wounded him. (He died on the Wednesday 

following). The surgeon, Mr Baynton of Rodstock, six miles from Leigh on Mendip, 

where this occurrence took place, stated that he went to examine the body on the 

Thursday following and he had no doubt but that death was occasioned by the blow – 

a great many witnesses were called by which it was substantially proved, that the 

stone was thrown in self defence and that it killed Hamilton by accident; and the judge 

in recapitulating the evidence told the jury that if he intentionally threw the stone at 

Hamilton it was manslaughter, but if at Wilcox in self defence it would be justifiable 

homicide, if it was a small stone. The laws allow a man to defend himself provided he 

takes only such means as the offence offered to him warrants. If they thought he was 

not in danger of his life from Wilcox, then this throwing and killing by so large a 

62

stone as what Wilcox stated it to be would amount to manslaughter but if they did not 

believe Wilcox who is the father of the deceased – his natural child – then they could 

not find the prisoner guilty. The stone missing Wilcox, and striking the other did not 

materially alter the case, they were to consider whether he was justified in using so 

large a stone had it struck Wilcox; the other’s death was accidental – if he were not 

justified in so doing, then the case would be manslaughter, the same as if he had killed 

Wilcox; but (observed his Lordship) no other witness except Wilcox has described it 

as a large stone, and as Wilcox, the father, appeared naturally enough to have his 

feelings strongly excited and was very prevaricating in his testimony, it is a question, 

whether or not his evidence should be credited. The jury after about ten minutes 

consultation, returned a verdict of Not Guilty. 

The body of a man; in sailors dress was picked up near the bridge, at Bridgwater on 

Friday. His features were greatly disfigured it is supposed by the fishes. He has not 

yet been owned. 


Murder at Bath 

Trial of Robert Gilham 

The court was filled at a very early hour, to witness the trial of Robert Gilham, aged 

24, of the parish of Walcot, Bath, for the wilful murder of Maria Bagnall, aged 42, a 

lady’s maid, living with Mrs Cox, 16 Malrborough buildings, Bath. The prisoner 

pleaded ‘Not Guilty.’ Mr Gunning for the prosecution detailed the particulars of the 

case, and requested the jury, for the discharge of public justice, to dismiss from their 

minds, all prejudice of opinion, all remembrance of indecent exhibitions, and ill 

rumours on the subject. It was with some satisfaction, that the prisoner would now 

have the best assistance and fullest benefit which the law could afford. The prisoner 

was a butler living in that capacity with Mrs Cox, an aged lady, of 80 or upwards, 

who also had in her employ Maria Bagnall as lady’s maid, the prisoner’s wife; as 

cook, and Anne Spackman, an elderly domestic, who had held her situation for 14 or 

15 years. 

Anne Spackman was the first witness who was examined, she was 70 years of age, 

remembers that on the Sunday morning of the 26 th January last, at half past two, she 

was alarmed by some one crying ‘robbers were in the house;’ she got up and called 

prisoners wife, and then heard a pistol go off; she went into Maria Bagnall’s room, 

and found the bed untumbled, with all the appearance that no one had slept in the 

room. After lighting a fire in her mistresses’s room, she went down stairs with some 

watchmen who, at that time had arrived, and there found the deceased Maria Bagnall 

lying on the floor, quite dead. It was Gilham’s place every night to bolt and bar the 

garden door – Cross examined by Sergt Bompas. – Witness went first to bed, and 

therefore did not know what was done after 10, on the night in question. (During the 

examination of this witness, she recognised the prisoner with some difficulty, on 

which he said, smilingly, ‘what! Don’t you know me?’) 

Tresley, an old servant of Mrs Cox was called – he was at Mrs Cox’s the 26 th January 

last; and left there about ten minutes after ten o’clock, after having supped Maria 

Bagnall did not sit at the supper table, but on one side of the fire eating bread and 

cheese. Witness now lives at Windsor, when he was in the service of Mrs Cox, there 

were four horse pistols belonging to the house. Witness had no conversation with 

Gillham about Maria Bagnall, on his once coming to see him at Windsor. 

63

John Robins, servant to Mr Valentine, supped also at Mrs Cox’s with the last 

witness on the night in question, and did not know of any quarrelling. 

Roger Morton, esq lives at Bath, and had received by the prisoner from Mrs Cox four 

days previous to the 26 th , a present of a hare, the blood of which was not very wet. 

Charles Billingham, watchman on the Crescent, deposed, that on Sunday morning, 

the 27 th , at half-past two o’clock, he heard a report of fire arms, went up to the street 

door of No16, Marlborough Buildings, and could gain no admittance, he then went 

accompanied by three other officers round to the back of the premises, and ran down a 

field, with a garden door open facing him – here he picked up a white cloth about the 

size of a pocket handkerchief. Witness then went to the back door of the house, where 

he saw another door open, leading to a large cellar, on the left of which, lay a basket 

with bread and meat. He perceived a light burning below. Witness went up stairs, on 

the floor lay a pair of snuffers and extinguisher, and a large bundle tied up with a case 

alongside. Witness then went to the front door, and being joined by some more 

watchmen, went towards the front garret at the top of the house, and heard a voice say 

‘where are you,’ – saw Gilham, on the floor of the landing place, lay a gimblet, which 

Gilham observed was what he had been fastened in with. Gilham was in his nightcap 

with fustian clothes on. Witness pointed to a case, which he said was a plate chest, 

containing an urn valued at 100g. Prisoners wife and Anne Spacknell were now 

coming downstairs. Witness and prisoner were going over into the drawing room, 

when one of the constables called from below – ‘Have you found the murderer?’ – To 

which the witness said ‘No.’ Witness proceeded to the kitchen, and found the 

deceased, Maria Bagnall, lying in a ‘gore of blood,’ her head towards the kitchen 

fireplace, with her face turned down; on the left hand side there was a large bludgeon, 

and a cap belonging to the deceased a few yards off. Witness then begged Gilham to 

examine the bundle which was seen on entering the house; it was undone, and a coat 

and pelisse were found therein , which belonged to the prisoner and his wife. Witness 

begged to be shown something else, whereupon they went downstairs, and saw a 

basket with some bread and a loin of lamb in it. Witness did not go again into the 

kitchen, ‘for he had seen enough.’ 

Benjamin Bedwell was a watchman at King’s Place, about a quarter of a mile from 

Marlborough Buildings. On the Sunday morning in question, heard the report of fire 

arms, and proceeded to No 16, went up stairs, and observed the prisoner with the 

garret door open; a goblet was lying on the floor about six inches from the door; the 

prisoner directed his attention to the bullet hole in the door; he said, that on finding 

the latch fastened, he had loaded a pistol and fired at the door. Witness stated that the 

door was very slight, and that a strong man or boy might have forced open the pannels 

with ease. Witness then went down to the kitchen with the assistance of a light, 

perceived the deceased lying on the floor, her face turned on the ground, and her head 

towards the kitchen fire, which was out. An hour or two afterwards Mr King, 

surgeon, arrived and saw the deceased. The prisoner got some beer for Mr King, and 

served it out in small cups to those present, standing at the time about five feet from 

the corpse. 

Thomas Hill, a cabinet maker, deposed that about sun-set on the 26 th he observed a 

person come out of the back garden door with a spade, he rubbed it against the wall, 

and then putting the spade inside the door, jumped over the wall into the garden. 

Witness can swear that the prisoner at the bar was the man. 

The Mayor’s officer, Vincent, proved that he went into the prisoner’s sleeping room, 

and found a pair of small clothes, the knees of which were covered with blood, in the 

butler’s pantry was a jacket and waistcoat with sleeves; on the left sleeve was some 

64

lood, and in the right hand pocket. Witness thinks that the two knives produced in 

court were found in the pockets of the waistcoat. 

George Wilcox, tithingman of Bath, deposed that he went to the house No 16, about 

seven o’clock in the morning, and entered the pantry with the prisoner and his wife, 

all things appeared in great confusion; there was a basket full of provisions. Prisoner 

took from a chopping block two staples, pushing the bolt of the door out at the same 

time, observed, ‘There I found it’. Witness then went to the outside of the door, and 

observed every appearance of its having been forced open, by impressions on the 

wood and removal of the paint. 

Thomas King, esq surgeon, examined, had attended Mrs Cox’s family a number of 

years, and saw the body of Maria Bagnall on the floor near the fire place, the deceased 

was lying horizontally with her face to the door. I took hold of her arm and found it 

was quite stiff – I then turned her head on one side and saw that her gullet, windpipe 

and carotid artery had been divided, as also the integuments down to the vertebrae of 

the neck. The coagulated blood on the floor was very great, and had extended itself 

about a foot and a half on each side of the deceased’s head. I thought she had been 

dead about two hours. 

R.T Gore esq surgeon, stated that he examined the deceased on Monday 28 th of 

January last. There were two cuts across the throat and seven wounds on the head, he 

thinks the wounds in the neck were caused by a sharp knife; but those on the head by 

a stick or bludgeon such as had been just shewn him in court. 

Mr Bourne, gaoler of Bath, stated that the prisoner was brought up to him on 30 th of 

January last; next morning saw prisoner in his cell, reading the 20 th chapter of Exodus. 

Prisoner wished to see his wife; Mr B. did not desire him to make any confession. 

Witness knows Tom Robert’s house, William’s Place, went there with Wilcox, and 

saw conveyed to the Guildhall eight packages on two horses. When prisoner was 

brought into Mayor’s office, he was so greatly agitated, that he almost dropped into 

witnesses’ arms when two of the packages containing wine were opened. After all the 

packages were examined prisoner went to Beadle’s room and sat down. Gilham said, 

‘Well, they will hang me for this I know, but thank God I am innocent of the murder.’ 

Mr Bourne observed ‘don’t add lies to crime,’ to this Gilham rejoined, ‘I suppose we 

have been like bees this summer, and now like bees we shall have our hive burnt and 

our honey taken from us.’ Prisoner was returned to the gaol, and next morning 

appeared very dejected, walking about the room. Prisoner still denied any 

participation in the murder. Mr Bourne asked him if he was still in want of a spiritual 

adviser, to which the prisoner replied, ‘he should wish one above all things, and 

would be very glad if he could get one.’ 

I accordingly went for Rev W Marshall, the Chaplain. 

Rev Mr Marshall examined – Has been a Chaplain and Curate 25 years; resided at 

Bath. At the request of the last witness went to see the prisoner, who wished Mr M to 

pray with him and read to him for he was not in a state to do so himself. On Mr M 

expressing his sorrow at finding him in such a situation, he said – ‘He knew he was a 

sinner, and should soon die.’ Mr M. asked him how he knew this. Prisoner made 

answer – ‘He had been told so at the hall, for taking the goods from his mistress.’ 

Prisoner sat down and began relating that himself and his wife were about to settle, 

and had purloined a few things from their mistress. Mr M. conjectured from the 

perturbed and distressed state of the prisoner’s mind, that there was something still 

more heavy on his conscience. Prisoner said he was a sinner as other men, and was 

aware suspicion fell upon him as the murderer.’ Mr M replied, if he was innocent, to 

maintain his innocence, but if not, warned him not to add sin to sin by dissembling 

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efore God. Mr M further said, that next to confessing sins before God the beauty of 

repentance was to repair by all means any injury he had done to his fellow creatures. 

During the conversation the prisoner was walking hurriedly about the room, at one 

moment playing with his finger and at another picking up bits of cinder from under 

the grate. Mr M read a portion of the Communion Service, after which he thought the 

prisoner had something to communicate and was asked if the gaoler should be sent 

for; prisoner told Mr Marshall he wished now he had never sent for him; Mr M then 

took his leave with a request from prisoner that he would return. (A chair was here 

ordered for the prisoner who seemed somewhat fatigued with standing.) At the second 

interview, Mr M states the prisoner did not attend so well as the first, and told him 

that unless he had confessed himself before God he could not pray with him or afford 

him any consolation which it was his earnest wish to do. After a long conversation 

relative to the confession of his sins; it was evident some impression had been made 

on him. Mr Bourne, the gaoler was again called and gave evidence of what had passed 

– after the Rev Mr Marshall had had some interviews with the prisoner. Witness said 

‘I have seen your wife, and what I said to you in the morning is correct. I find by your 

wife that you did go down stairs a second time after meeting Maria Bagnall, and that 

you remained below, a considerable while, and then when you returned you were very 

cold and much alarmed. On getting into bed you told your wife to lay father from you 

for you were not very well. This, prisoner’s wife told witness was the first time he 

omitted kissing her on getting into bed since they were married. Prisoner likewise told 

his wife not to say anything to Nanny about his going downstairs, nor to any one else, 

but to say that she was in bed first. Prisoner on hearing this told him by witness, 

clasped his hands with great servency and sat down. 

Mr Sergeant Bompas and Mr Moody now addressed the Court, and put it to his 

Lordship whether it was an act of justice that the confession of the prisoner extorted 

from him by religious hopes and fears, and instilled into his mind by the Rev Mr 

Marshall, could legally be brought as evidence against him. Mr Justice Gilbert, Judge 

Best and Lord Eldon, were cited as precedents in not allowing such evidence, and the 

wisest judge which England had ever produced (Sir Michael Foster) had declared that 

confession by such means were more liable to contain falsehood than truth and was of 

all evidence the very worst. Mr Bourne re-examined – Prisoner said, ‘I’ll tell you all 

about it.’ Witness cautioned him as to a confession. Prisoner said it was true; he did 

go down stairs again, and that he found Bagnall in his pantry; that she began 

quarrelling with him, that he took up a stick and struck her repeated blows till she fell 

– she kept screaming, and said she would have him hanged. He by some means or 

other found himself upon Bagnall; he knelt upon her and took a knife from his 

waistcoat pocket and cut her throat; he took away her purse, with some halfpence; he 

put the halfpence in his waistcoat pocket, and put the purse where it was found on the 

following morning. He then washed his hands and knife and went upstairs, took out 

the wine and spirits from the cellaret and drunk some, and threw some of it away – 

left the bottles as they were found. Every thing that was packed up – the tea urn and 

the bread; he also placed where they were found, then he went to bed. He said he 

endeavoured to make up his mind to confess on Monday; requested the Mayor might 

be sent for to the gaol, to prevent his going through the streets. Prisoner particularly 

wished to see the clergyman again. This was between eight and nine in the morning. 

Begged jailor to read to him. Before the Mayor arrived, he told witness all he had said 

before was not correct. (By the judge – witness never said it would be better for him if 

he confessed, and the worse if he did not.) Prisoner said he met her at the kitchen door 

and stuck her without speaking to her. – (Cross examined by Sergeant Bompas) – 

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Never said to prisoner his wife had told witness all about it – never said any thing to 

prisoner about his wife being the weaker vessel. 

Tugwell, esq Mayor of Bath examined – Mayor of Bath examined – was Mayor in 

January last, recollects going to the gaol on 2d Feb accompanied by Mr George, the 

town clerk – I saw Gilham in Bourne’s room – told Gilham I came to see him, as I 

understood he wished to make a communication – witness cautioned him … the 

examinations; as in the nature of the communication he wished to make, and told him 

he would retire and would not be angry with him for sending for him unnecessarily if 

he had changed his mind: Prisoner said he did the dead – Did not take this down in 

writing. (The confession of the prisoner before the Magistrates was then read in court) 

– The confession was read over to the prisoner by Mr George, who asked him if he 

had any objection to sign it – he said that his hand shook so that he could not write his 

name, but it was all true. 

Mr P George, Town Clerk of Bath, corroborated the evidence of the Mayor. 

George Vincent, constable, saw Gilham in officer’s room on 21 February – said he 

was better since he had eased his mind. I said it was a shocking thing he should put 

himself in such a passion – the prisoner said he was obliged to stand and hear the 

deceased run out against himself and wife and he did not dare to say anything, if he 

had done so, he would have been discharged, and that it made his blood boil to hear it; 

he said that if he had not committed the murder when he did, he should most probably 

have done it at some future time. Witness asked which one of the two knives he did 

the act with, the one with the saw, or the other – Prisoner said the other – (two pocket 

knives were here handed to the jury.) 

George Wilcox took the prisoner to the county gaol, on the 3 d February; on the road 

the prisoner said twas a horrible thing, but he could not help it; he said he heard the 

deceased running out against himself and his wife, and that his blood was boiling. 

Prisoner said he did the deed at eleven at night; said he was going upstairs to bed, and 

met Bagnall coming down stairs; went to bedroom door with his wife, said he was ill 

in his bowels, and came down stairs again, met Bagnall at kitchen door, and struck her 

across the forehead. She went back into the kitchen; he followed her, striking her as 

she went; in the scuffle both fell; as she went down, he took out his knife and cut her 

throat – Prisoner said he had no difficulty, and he was not more than three minutes 

about it. Hoped God would forgive him, and said he was ready to forfeit his life 

immediately. Prisoner said he wanted to write, to say his wife knew nothing of the 

business; he had made a confession which was true and would do so on the trial. 

Prisoner said, when the things belonging to Mrs Cox in the hampers were found, it 

hurt him more than any thing. After he committed the deed he found his mind quite 

relieved. The state of the premises (it will be recollected, they were found as if they 

had been broken open externally) was occasioned by himself. He broke open the door 

with a bill hook; and he brought down the urn from a plate chest, and scraped the 

walls with a spade, to make it appear that someone had got over the wall. Prisoner 

said he did not know how the hair came on the stick found by the side of the deceased. 

The stock he used was a shorter one. 

The evidence for the prosecution closed at a quarter past seven. The prisoner on being 

called on for his defence, merely said he was innocent of the dreadful charge alleged 

against him. Mr Justice Littledale summed up the evidence to the jury in an address 

which occupied upwards of two hours. About a quarter to ten, the jury after ten 

minutes consideration, returned a verdict of guilty. His Lordship immediately put on 

the black cap, and addressing the prisoner animadverted on the twofold wickedness of 

his crime, and proceeded to pass the awful sentence of death, without holding out to 

67

him the slightest prospect of mercy. He was ordered to be executed on Thursday next, 

and his body to be given over to a surgeon for dissection. 

The prisoner’s countenance, during the trial, underwent very little variation; but on 

receiving sentence, he held down his head a death like paleness came upon him, and 

he appeared to be at once labouring under the workings of an overburdened 

conscience, and a sense of his dreadful situation. 

Messrs Gunning and Follett conducted the prosecution, and Mr Sergeant Bompas and 

Mr Moody the defence. 

The court was exceedingly crowded throughout the trial, and the attendance of 

fashionably-dressed females very numerous. 

The remainder of the sentences in our next. 

April 23 rd 1828 

Inquests – On Monday, an inquest was held by Mr Ashford of Castle Cary, at Rodney 

Stoke, on the body of Mr John Masters, who was killed by a fall from his horse; and 

on the following day, at the New Rock Colliery, Midsomer Norton, on the body of 

Isaac Carter, whose death was caused by a quantity of coal falling on him whilst he 

was at work under ground. Verdict, in each of the above cases, Accidental Death. 

On Friday, an inquest was held by Mr Caines, of Langport, at a cottage on Sampford 

Moor, near Wellington, on Sarah Page, aged 86. The deceased was enjoying perfect 

health on Wednesday morning, and was preparing breakfast for a person with whom 

she resided, who, having gone out, on his return found the deceased had fallen from 

her chair, and was lying on the floor, quite dead. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of 

God. 


Inquests – Yesterday week, Mr Ashford of Castle Cary, held an inquest at Butcombe 

on the body of Susannah Davis who hung herself. It appeared, from the testimony of 

her husband and other witnesses, that the deceased had been in a very melancholy 

way for some time, and had often attempted to destroy herself. The jury returned a 

verdict of ‘Lunacy’. 

On Thursday, at Horsington, upon the body of Mr Chas Newman of Sturminster 

Newton who was returning from Bruton Fair, about six o’clock in the evening, and, 

whilst in the act of paying the toll at the turnpike gate, fell back in his gig, and 

instantly expired. Verdict, ‘Died by the Visitation of God’. 

May 7 th 1828 

Melancholy Accident. 

On Friday last, Mrs Fewtrell, of this town, took an airing in a wheeled chair, drawn 

by a female, and accompanied also by her maid-servant. On returning up the hill, near 

Shoreditch Inn, about a mile and a half from this town, a horse in a cart was seen 

running at full speed towards them. J.Trump, a labourer employed on the road, 

observing the imminent danger of the female party courageously sprang forward, and 

endeavoured to stop the horse; but, in the generous attempt, was knocked down, and 

so seriously injured that he expired the next morning, leaving a wife and two children. 

The animal continued his career, Mrs Fewtrell’s chair was upset, and that lady was 

found to have her collar-bone and arm broken by the cart going over her. The woman, 

who was drawing the chair, had also her collar-bone broken, and sustained other 

serious injury. The boy, who had the charge of the horse, did not receive any hurt, and 

68

cannot account for the sudden escape of the animal from his control. Mrs Fewtrell is 

an elderly and infirm lady, and had the misfortune, only a few months ago, to break 

her arm, from which accident she was recovering when the present calamity overtook 

her. 


At Shoreditch Inn, on Monday last, on James Trump, aged 30. On Friday, deceased 

was at work on the Turnpike Road at Shoreditch Hill, on the right hand side of the 

road, when a horse drawing a cart ran towards deceased at a very rapid pace. A boy 

was running at the side endeavouring to stop the horse. There were a pair of drags in 

the cart. About forty yards distant, a lady was, in a Bath wheel chair, coming that way 

in about the middle of the road, and the person guiding it, turned it to endeavour to get 

out of the way. The horse continued at great speed, when deceased attempted to stop 

it, and in doing so was knocked down either by the horse or the end of the shaft, but 

most probably the latter. The horse in its progress upset the chair, and the wheel of the 

cart passed over the woman who was drawing it. Deceased got up against the hedge 

for a short time and was taken to the Shoreditch Inn. He complained of a pain in his 

side. A surgeon was immediately sent for but deceased died early the next morning. 

James Gillard, the boy, who was driving the horse, deposed that the horse set off 

suddenly on a full gallop without any known cause whatever. Witness said he had 

known the mare a twelve month, and always found her very steady. Hannah Hopkins 

deposed, that she lived with Mrs Fewtrell, in St James’s Street, Taunton, and on 

Friday was attending her in her ride on the turnpike road, as far as the new bridge on 

the Chard road. About noon they were returning, another woman (Rebecca Rodber) 

was driving the chair, and as they were coming up the hill, they saw a cart coming at 

great speed in the manner before stated, and Rebecca Rodber drew the chair round to 

the proper side of the road, but the horse continued advancing so fast that they could 

not get out of the way, and the chair was upset; Mrs Fewtrell was thrown out and 

injured (the collar bone and arm, we lament to say, are broken) and Rebecca Rodber 

was also much injured. Deceased was at work on the road, and in his endeavouring to 

stop the horse, was knocked down in the way stated. Mr H Liddon, surgeon, deposed 

to his having attended deceased on being sent for after the accident. Deceased 

complained of great pain in his stomach, and was very sick. He had also sustained an 

injury on the left hand side of the head. His scull was lacerated to the extent of an 

inch, and he died the next morning. Deceased told Mr Liddon that he made the 

attempt to stop the horse purposely with the view of saving the life of the lady, whose 

danger he foresaw. Verdict, Accidental Death. Deodand on the horse 20s. The cart 

belonged to Mr Harris of the Shoreditch Inn, and the horse to Mr W Durston. The 

deceased was a remarkably fine young man, and had distinguished himself as an 

energetic and skilful wrestler. 

Inquests by Mr Ashford of Castle Cary. 

Yesterday week, at Holton, on the body of Mrs Betsy Ames, who died suddenly. 


On the following day, at North Bruham, on the body of Mary Matthews, aged four 

years, who died in consequence of being dreadfully burnt. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

May 7 th 1828 

Mysterious Adventure at the White Hart Inn, Taunton. 

69

A very strange, unaccountable circumstance happened in this inn about the same time; 

one of those occurrences that puzzle the philosopher, and strengthen superstition in 

weak minds. Three or four gentlemen of the neighbourhood were drinking wine in 

one of the rooms, when the landlord of the inn (as it appeared to them) walked into 

the room, and coming up to the table around which they were seated, they addressed 

him with “Mr Baldwin, how do you do? Sit down and take a glass of wine with us.” 

But instead of doing as requested, the supposed innkeeper walked out of the room, 

without making any reply; which not only surprised but offended the company, who 

rang the bell violently, and on the waiter’s appearance, they ordered him to send in his 

master. The waiter informed them that his master was not at home. The gentlemen 

replied that he was at home a few minutes since, and therefore they insisted on seeing 

him; but the man assured them they were mistaken, as his master was in Bristol, and 

had been there several days. They then ordered the waiter to send in Mrs Baldwin, 

who immediately appearing, the gentlemen asked her where Mr Baldwin was, and 

she informed them, as the waiter had already done, that he was in Bristol, and had 

been there for several days; on which the gentlemen grew very angry; and swore that 

Mr Baldwin had just before come into the room, and on their requesting him to 

partake of their wine, had insulted them by going out of the room without deigning to 

give them an answer. Mrs Baldwin then drew out of her pocket a letter she had that 

morning received from Mr Baldwin, by which it was apparent that he really was in 

Bristol. The story was then told round the neighbourhood, and all the old women 

concluded that Mr Baldwin must certainly be dead, and that he died at the very instant 

that the gentlemen saw him come into the room; but Mr Baldwin returning two days 

after, rendered it necessary for them to vary their story; they then asserted that it was a 

token on some warning of his death, and had no doubt that it would very soon happen. 

It was generally thought that Mr Baldwin was weak enough to pay such attention to 

the story and the inference as to hurt his health, as he really died within a year after, 

and the old women were not a little pleased at the event, as it tended to justify the 

truth of their prediction. 

The mayor of Wells has received a letter from the Secretary of State, informing him 

that he had received information from the Sovereign of Kinsale, stating that private 

Frederick Johnson has acknowledged that his confession of the murder of the late Dr 

Lee of Wells, as noticed in a former paper was entirely false. 

Shocking Accident. 

On Tuesday, as the Patent Safety two-horse coach was approaching Bristol, from 

Bath, it came rapidly down the hill opposite Kensington Place, and, in turning the 

sharp corner around Arno’s Vale, upset, when most of the passengers were thrown off 

and seriously injured; amongst them, was Mr Thornley, hatter of Clare St Bristol, 

who received such severe contusions that he is since dead. 

Execution of Richard Millard, for uttering forged Bank of England Notes. 

This unfortunate victim to the offended laws of his country, was executed yesterday, 

pursuant to his sentence, on the drop erected over the entrance to the new gaol. 

Several benevolent individuals, amongst whom stands foremost the Rev T Roberts 

had asked considerable interest to obtain a transmutation of his punishment; and both 

our worthy Members, Mr Hart Davis and Mr Bright separately applied for this 

purpose at the Office of the Home Secretary of State; but the only answer was, that his 

case was of such a nature, that Mr Peel could not, consistently with his public duty, 

recommend the prisoner to His Majesty for any extension of the royal mercy. Millard 

70

himself fortunately had never been buoyed up with any hope of pardon; and it is 

gratifying to know, that he met his fate with a penitent mind, and with no 

inconsiderable firmness of spirit. He was regularly attended by the Rev W Day, who 

with his accustomed devotedness to the duties of his station, it is believed made every 

suitable impression upon the prisoner, and prepared him, so far as earthly admonition 

could go, for the awful change and premature fate which awaited him. The 

unfrequency of execution in this city attracted, of course, an immense assemblage to 

witness the execution; certainly not fewer than 20.000 spectators were present. 

Having finished his devotions with the Rev Chaplain, who on this morning was 

accompanied also by his son, Millard ascended the platform at about a quarter past 

one; the last words he was heard to utter in his cell were, in allusion to the 

preparations, “How long you are, how long you are,” and without addressing a single 

word to the multitude, or to those immediately near him, he was, in a very few 

minutes after, launched into eternity, and without the least struggle, appeared to 

expire. His body, after hanging about an hour, was cut down and delivered to his 

friends, who were in waiting – Bristol Paper. 

May 21 st 1828 

Gilham the murderer – we can state from authority that he will be hung on the 4 th 

June, the day to which the sentence was respited. 

Friday, a woman was committed from Frome, to the gaol at Shepton Mallet, for some 

offence, about two o’clock in the afternoon; and shortly after, she killed hr child, 

which she had with her, by dashing its head against the bedpost. 

A few days since, as some labourers were removing a quantity of earth , in a garden at 

Shepton Mallet, about three feet below the surface they discovered a few bones. It 

appeared that they were those of a human body; and the earth being carefully 

removed, the skeletons of three persons were brought to view. The teeth were in a 

perfect state, but some of the bones were rather decayed. No trace of the bodies being 

deposited there can yet be ascertained. The house adjoining the garden was formerly 

an inn, of a low description, frequented by travelling pedlars &c: and it has been 

reported, that when so occupied, several persons were suddenly missed from the 

premises, and not afterwards heard of. 

May 28 th 1828 

Fatal Accident – On Thursday evening, as a party of seven persons were taking their 

pleasure in a boat on the Avon, when near the mill at Bathampton, the eddy drew the 

boat under the weirs, when it was instantly filled with water, and two of the party, Mr 

Howard and Miss Knight, were drowned. Another young lady, Miss Daly, the 

daughter of the late Col. Daly, was rescued and recovered; but being of an 

exceedingly weak constitution, having been many years ill, the fright had such an 

effect on her system, that she survived only a few hours. The remaining four fell into 

the water, but saved themselves by swimming, and by the aid of the ferry rope. The 

body of Miss Knight could not be found until Saturday afternoon, the river drawn for 

that purpose. Great credit is due to a party of gentlemen who were rook shooting in 

the neighbourhood, for their prompt exertions in the attempt to save the party, and 

particular to Liet Col Manly for the immediate assistance he rendered them and for 

his kind attentions to the survivors. An inquest was held on the bodies on Saturday by 

Mr Ashford, who had arrived the evening previously for that purpose, and the 

evidence was agreeable to the above statement. Verdict – Accidental Death. 

71



On Saturday last, Mr Caines, of Langport, held an inquest at Weston Zoyland, on the 

body of a child, aged three years. On the preceding Saturday, the mother of the 

deceased, having poured some water out of a boiler into a tub in the kitchen, left the 

child sitting in a chair near it, while she went to a well to refill the boiler. In her 

absence the child fell backwards and was so dreadfully scalded, that it expired on 

Thursday night. 

At Dunster, on Saturday last, on Wm Winter, a labouring man, who, while employed 

in quarrying stones; and standing on a projecting rock at Alcombe, fell into a pit of 

water beneath, and was drowned. Verdict in each case, Accidental Death. 

At Long Sutton, on the 23 rd ult., on the body of Jane Slade, aged 22. Deceased was 

governess in the family of Mr Chard. On the Wednesday night before her death, at 

nine o’clock, she went into the kitchen for a candle. She complained of a head-ache, 

next morning, and asked the nurse-maid to request that Mr Chard would allow her to 

have her tea in the room; it was carried up to her accordingly. She soon became very 

sick. She said the pain was in her head, but had taken no medicine for it. She had been 

subject to frequent headaches. About two o’clock, the nurse-maid found her out of 

bed and struggling on the floor. Assistance was called for, and on lifting up deceased, 

she breathed three times, and expired. Mr Sparke, a surgeon, saw deceased after life 

was extinct, and expressed his opinion that she died from some rupture of a blood 

vessel on the brain. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

June 11 th 1828 

On Wednesday, Mr John Foster, a respectable builder of Bristol, was thrown from 

his gig, by which unfortunate accident his skull was fractured, and he died in about 

three hours. 

On Monday se’nnight, a poor man, named Ball, residing at St Phillip’s, Bristol was 

smothered through a culpable experiment of his landlady. For several months he had 

been in very ill health, arising from poverty and starvation, and his landlord and 

landlady (John and Margaret Shipp) were desirous of getting rid of him and his 

wife as tenants; for this end they had repeatedly warned them off, but the unfortunate 

creatures knew not where to go – Mrs Shipp, however, thought of an expedient which 

was effectual though fatal; she sent for a chimney sweeper, and requested him to fill 

up the top of the chimney with wadding; in order, as she said, to render the room 

uncomfortable and untenantable; but she omitted to tell the occupiers of the room 

what she had done; the consequence was, that the wife of the deceased, having made a 

fire in the grate, went out, leaving her husband, who was ill, in bed; on her return, 

which was in about five minutes, she found the room full of smoke, and the poor man 

in the agonies of death; he died in less than ten minutes from the time the chimney 

was stopped. The jury decided that W Ball died of an asthma, but his death was 

accelerated by the smoke; whereupon the Coroner recorded a verdict of Manslaughter 

against J and M Shipp. 

Execution of Gilham. 

Ilchester, June 4 1828. This being the day to which Gilham had been reprieved by the 

humane Judge who tried him, that the question of the admissibility of the Rev Mr 

Marshall’s evidence, which detailed the confession of the prisoner, should be decided 

by the twelve Judges, and they having determined on the legality of the evidence, the 

law was allowed to take its course. 

72

The Rev Mr Valentine, the Chaplain of the gaol, has been unceasing in his attendance 

on the unhappy man ever since his condemnation, and Gilham has passed his time in 

penitence and prayer. His wife has not left Cheltenham, where she was delivered of a 

child a few weeks ago; but she has written her husband a letter a few days since, 

stating that she was neglected and looked cold upon by every person whom she had 

formerly been friendly with, and that suspicions were entertained that she was privy to 

the committal of the crime, and that her life was embittered forever. The letter deeply 

affected the poor wretch, who declared most positively, that his wife was totally 

innocent, even in any suspicion of the deed, and that he alone committed the crime for 

which he was about to atone. He said he wished he had informed his wife of his 

intention, for then she would have prevented the crime. His brother, who arrived at 

Ilchester a few days ago, took his final leave of him on the evening previous to his 

execution. 

At four o’clock in the morning he was dressed and engaged in prayer. From the 

enormity of the offence for which the miserable wretch was to suffer, it excited the 

greatest interest not only in the neighbourhood of Ilchester, but the whole country, and 

early in the morning, country people were seen journeying from all parts. But in 

consequence of the early hour and heavy rain, that fell constantly all the morning, the 

multitude was unusually small, not above one hundred persons were present, and they 

we are shocked to say it, were more than half females. In consequence of 

apprehension that there would be an immense concourse of spectators, and that 

accidents might happen in their crowding near the banks of the river, Mr Hardy, the 

jailer, humanely requested the sheriff, Mr Lovell to cause the awful ceremony to take 

place much earlier than common, viz half past nine, instead of twelve, the usual hour. 

The executioner, who resides about three miles from the town, and is a small farmer, 

arrived early in the morning, and the preparations for the awful finishing of the law 

were completed. The bell of the prison was the only sound that broke on the ear, save 

the busy humming of the populace. 

The Rev Mr Valentine was early in attendance on the unhappy man in the morning; 

and after he received the Sacrament, which he did with every appearance of attention, 

he was informed that the time drew nigh; he signified he was ready, and he proceeded 

to the yard where his arms were pinioned. The clergyman then began to read the 

solemn service of the church, and the procession moved towards the drop. He walked 

up the scaffold without faultering, engaged with a prayer book in his hand. When 

standing on the drop, he looked round upon the people, and made a faint inclination of 

his head, when the clergyman engaged him in prayer for a few minutes, then shook 

him by the hand and retired. The executioner then commenced his last melancholy 

offices, removed his neckcloth and placed the halter round his neck, and fastened the 

other end to the fatal beam, placed the cap over his face, and shook him by the hands. 

He then requested to have the cap pulled up for a moment, for he thought he saw his 

brother in the crowd; his wish was complied with, he looked round very composedly, 

but he could not see him; the cap was again drawn over his face, and in a few awful 

moments of suspense, during which he seemed to pray fervently, the drop fell. A few 

convulsive struggles, deep drawn sighs, and heaving of the breast, told the strife that 

was going on, and then all was still. 

After hanging the usual time, his body was cut down, and delivered to a person, who 

took it immediately to Bath, where it is to be publicly dissected. The crown, which 

had considerably increased as the morning advanced, dispersed, and the town rapidly 

resumed the same monotonous stillness. 

73

Gilham had no appearance that bespoke the ruffian, but looked a respectable servant 

man; and had rather a mild look than otherwise. He had much fallen off since his 

committal, and was in a very exhausted state, but still did not for these last few weeks 

seem to suffer so much as previous to his trial: 

The following literal extracts are from a letter addressed by the criminal to his friends 

at Taplow:- 

‘I entreat you not to grieve for me, for I am not worthy for you to trouble about, for 

my sufferings are not half bad enough for me – they are nothing compared to my sins, 

which are great. I feel I can’t pray enough: oh! what could have possessed my worldly 

heart I own that I justly deserve the dreadful curse denounced against every sinner; 

and now I see the evil of sin and wickedness, for our sins are sure to find us out one 

time or another; it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Oh! my 

time is but very short before the fatal cord must be placed around my neck; my eyes 

must be covered never more to behold the cheering light, or the face of man. Oh! the 

signal is given – my standing gives way – I drop – I agonise – I die – and; in a 

moment, appear before an offended God.” 

In another part he says – ‘I exhort you, my dear parents and relations, no longer to 

trifle away your precious time, but improve it by preparing yourself for your latter 

end, for it is in this world, and not in the next, that you have the opportunity of fleeing 

from the wrath to come.’ His anxiety to exculpate his wife from any share in his crime 

is evident from the following passage. ‘Oh! how it rends my heart when I think of the 

distress I have brought upon you all, and particularly upon my poor dear distressed 

wife. Oh my dear friends, I hope you will not think light of her, for I can assure you 

that none of this distress was through her, for she was always persuading me for my 

good. 

Bath, Friday. 

The body of Gilham, the murderer, was brought to the Bath United Hospital on 

Wednesday night, at nine o’clock. All the surgeons and pupils belonging to the 

establishment assembled at the hospital as early as four o’clock yesterday morning, 

when the dissection commenced, and from which they only desisted long enough to 

partake of a slight breakfast. The head of the murderer was shaved last night, and a 

plaster cast of it taken. The loss of the hair has produced a great change in the 

appearance. From the mild expression of the countenance, no one would suspect that 

he was looking on Gilham, the murderer; on the contrary, it would lead to the decided 

inference that he was incapable of so cruel a deed. 

June 18 th 1828 


At Allowenshay, near Ilminster, on Robert Brice aged 12 years. It appeared in 

evidence, that on Thursday last, the brother of the deceased, the son of a small farmer, 

was amusing himself in shooting sparrows, and for that purpose had gone into a 

waggon house, where he had pointed the gun between the spokes of a waggon wheel, 

and kneeling on one knee, he snapped the gun, but it hung fire. Immediately as the 

gun had been snapped, the deceased, (who is supposed to have been watching his 

brother) advanced on the opposite side of the waggon, and the fire having been 

effected, nearly the whole of the charge penetrated his left breast, which caused his 

death in about half an hour. Verdict, Chance Medley. 

And on Saturday last, at Rockwell Green, near Wellington, on James Twose, aged 

39. At the inquest, some persons gave evidence, that on Thursday last, they were 

74

employed in carrying hay, and having rested to take dinner, the team were released 

from the waggon, and that one, a mare, having a colt confined at home, ran away, and 

having forced open the gate, it ran with such violence against the deceased, who 

happened to be driving a loaded waggon on the road adjoining the field, that he was 

knocked down before the fore wheel, which passed over his body; and he expired in 

less than an hour. Verdict Accident, Deodand on the Mare forty shillings. 

At Dunster, on a man unknown, who was found dead in the road leading from Dunster 

to Timberscombe, about nine o’clock in the morning of Tuesday se’nnight. He 

appeared to have been a travelling hat-dresser, a bottle of liquid, apparently used for 

the purpose of that business, having found in his pocket, but scarcely any thing except 

3d besides. He had slept the preceding night, at Timberscombe, when he stated that he 

came from Porlock, and was proceeding to Bridgwater. He had no marks of violence 

about him. 

At Dowlish Wake, near Ilminster, on Elizabeth Walters, aged upwards of 70, who 

was dead under the following circumstances. The deceased lived in a large house by 

herself, and not having been seen by her neighbours for some days, the front door was 

forced open, and she was discovered, partly undressed, sitting in a settle, reclining on 

her right hand. She appeared to have been dead a day or two. Verdict, in each case, 


At the decoy in the parish of Aller, near Langport, on Ann Lock, aged three years. 

The child had not been missing many minutes before she was found, drowned, in a 

ditch. Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

June 25 th 1828 

Inquest by Mr Ashford. 

At Banwell, on Jos Haymans, who it is supposed, was killed by lightning, having 

taken shelter under a tree during a severe thunder storm. Verdict – Died by Visitation 

of God. 


Inquests by Mr Ashford. 

At Bruton on the body of Richard Prankard, whose death was occasioned by a fall 

from a cart. 

At Dunster, on the body of Harriet Davis, aged two years and a half, who, whilst 

playing with some other children, accidentally fell into a mill pond and was drowned. 

At Frome on the body of Geo Blanning, who, in attempting to clean a part of the 

machinery of a steam engine at the factory of Mr H Dyer, was drawn between the 

wheels, and so much injured, that he survived only a few days. The deceased had been 

repeatedly cautioned not to go near the engine, whilst it was at work. Verdict in each 

case, Accidental Death. 

At Shepton Mallet, on the body of Mrs Ann Chambers, aged 77 years, who had 

retired to rest in good health on the evening previous to her decease. 

At West Compton, on the body of Wm Coombs, aged 60. It appeared by the evidence 

that he had been sitting upon the edge of a tub, and conversing with an acquaintance, 

when he suddenly fell backwards and instantly expired. Verdict in each case, Died by 


At Wedmore, on the body of Joseph Barrow, who was found dead in a pond, at 

which he had been occasionally seen in the act of drinking. Verdict, Found Drowned. 

July 16 th 1828 

75

Dreadful Thunder Storm 

A tremendous storm, accompanied with thunder and lightning, commenced here last 

evening, at eight o’clock, and continued till twelve o’clock. The houses at Widcombe, 

at the bottom of Cleverton Hill, were inundated by a land flood to the depth in some 

cases of 12 feet, and so rapidly that James Moody (late a carrier of this paper) and his 

wife, occupying a lower apartment in Chapel row, leading to the Canal, were drowned 

in their beds! The soil and trees in several parts of Beechen Cliff have been displaced 

by the violence of the tempest and swept into the valley beneath; and at Weston, by 

the sudden rise of the brook, a chairman named Hunt was drowned. Bath Chronicle 

July 10. 

In the neighbourhood of Beechen Cliff, which is over the old bridge, and by the side 

of the Wells and Bristol roads, a vast deal of injury was also done. A worthy man 

named Moody, aged 70 years, and his wife, were both drowned in their bed! Poor 

Moody had been in the employ of Mr Cruttwell, the respectable proprietor of the 

Bath Chronicle. They lived in a court called Sussex Place, which is at the bottom of 

Widcombe Hill, from which the waters poured down with terrific fury, rushing 

through the court, and bursting into the houses. The stones, gravel, &c hurried along 

by the waters, literally broke open the windows and doors; and in five minutes the 

rooms or parlours, and kitchens were filled with water. Most of the inhabitants 

escaped terrified, but with the greatest difficulty; by great activity all were rescued, 

except the poor aged couple whom I have just mentioned. They slept in the 

underground room of a house at the top of the court. They were either asleep or 

unconscious of their danger; and being at the top of the court rendered the difficulty of 

getting there, to search or give the alarm, a task of great peril, even if the fact of their 

being there occurred to any one. They were discovered in their room yesterday 

morning. The bodies remain in the state in which they were discovered, to wait the 

Coroner’s inquest. The room is visible through railings; but the water there, still 

remains four feet high! In the whole of that neighbourhood much distress is visible; 

most of the shops about there are closed, and the people are engaged in removing the 

mud and filth left where the water had receded or had been carried off. The losses to 

the inhabitants in many instances have been ruinous. 

July 23 rd 1828 

Inquest on W Dymond 

On Monday last, an inquest was held by Mr Caines, at the Rising Sun, in this town, on 

the body of W Dymond the Wellington carrier, who was unfortunately killed, under 

the following circumstances:- 

Mr W C Cox, of this town, being sworn and stated – that “on Thursday last, about six 

in the evening, I was in my own house, up stairs, and happened to be looking out of 

the window, when I saw the deceased driving his waggon; he was driving towards 

Wellington, and was on the proper side of his horses. I saw the horses drawing the 

waggon had become frightened. There was a bear idle in the street, opposite Mr 

Chorley’s in the road, not on the pavement, and it was standing erect. My attention 

was more particularly called to Dymond at the moment, and I saw him having hold of 

the shaft horse, endeavouring to keep the horses off one of the posts bounding the 

Market Place. He was unable to prevent the team from drawing that way, in 

consequence of the horses having been frightened. The waggon was loaded with 

coals, and drawn by two horses. I presently saw deceased fenced by the near forewheel 

against one of the posts before spoken of, and with great force, which caused 

deceased to fall. The horses still went on until the fore wheel had gone over his thigh. 

76

I ran down; many persons had by that time go to the spot, and deceased was taken off 

to the hospital. I am quite sure that the horses took fright at the bear, and not at any 

thing else; I saw the horses shy at the bear. I had seen the bear loose before that time, 

but cannot take upon me to say positively whether he was loose at the time I have 

spoken of or not. The drover of the waggon appeared to be perfectly sober, and was 

generally so.” 

Mr Standert, surgeon, sworn – “Between six and seven o’clock on Thursday 

evening, I received the deceased into the Taunton and Somerset Hospital. His left 

thigh was broken – a simple fracture; there was a bruise on the left side of the 

abdomen. He was sensible, but had the appearance of having sustained a very serious 

bodily injury. He stated that he had been crushed by the waggon against a post, the 

horses having been frightened by a bear in the street. He complained of violent pain in 

the abdomen, and felt assured he should die. He received the necessary attention at the 

Hospital. I saw him during the night, and frequently until he died, about four o’clock 

on Saturday morning – On examining the body, the cause of death appeared to have 

been the rupture of a large vein in the porch of the liver, which the pressure, to which 

the accident exposed him, was likely to produce.” 

The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death;” and presented, that “the death of 

the said William Dymond would not have happened, but from the inattention of the 

Beadle, James Wood, whose duty it was to have prevented disorderly persons from 

obtruding themselves in the streets of this town, and which duty, on the day before 

mentioned, he neglected to do.” 

On Friday, an inquest was held by Mr Caines at Pitney, on the body of Selina 

Chambers, aged eight years, who, on the preceding day, had gone to the fire, to toast 

some bread, when her clothes got ignited, and she ran into the yard, enveloped in 

flames, whereby she was so much scorched that she died in a few hours. Verdict, 

‘Accidental Death.’ 

On Friday, an inquest was held by R Uphill, esq at the Barley Mow, Walcot, on the 

body of Thomas Burnell, aged 61, who met his death by being knocked down by 

Mark Anthony Broom, jun in a scuffle, and his head coming in contact with the 

stones in the road, which fractured his skull. It appeared that the parties had been 

playing at skittles, and some altercation having taken place between Broom and his 

brother, about seven o’clock in the evening of Wednesday, Burnell interfered, and 

endeavoured to reconcile the parties, when Broom used very abusive and irritating 

language to the old man, who rose from his seat and took him by the collar, upon 

which Broom gave him the fatal blow. Burnell was taken up and led home, and died 

the following morning about four o’clock. After a very patient investigation of a great 

number of witnesses, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter. Burnell had been for 

twenty years Hospital Serjeant in the 2 nd Somerset Militia, and was universally 

beloved and respected for his quiet, inoffensive disposition. 

Shocking accident – Dancing Bear. 

On Thursday evening last, about six o’clock, the horses in a cart laden with coals, 

standing nearly opposite Mr William C Cox’s, in this town, took fright at a bear near 

the spot, and the owners of the cart, immediately sprang forward to stop the horses, 

but in the attempt was thrown violently against one of the iron posts which bound the 

North side of the Parade and fell under the wheel of the cart, which passed over his 

body. The by-standers promptly ran to his assistance, and it was only by backing the 

cart that the unfortunate man could be extricated from under the wheel! It was then 

77

ascertained that his thigh was broken, and the upper part of his body dreadfully 

bruised. He was immediately borne to the Hospital, where the usual prompt and 

humane measures were adopted, but the sufferer expressed his conviction that he 

should not survive the mischief – an opinion which was unhappily verified on 

Saturday morning at four o’clock at which time he expired. A respectable Jury sat on 

the body on Monday last, and returned a verdict of Accidental Death, accompanied by 

a special presentation of their opinion that the Beadle of the town had neglected his 

duty in not preventing the itinerant exhibition which occasioned this tragic event. The 

deceased had been for many years past employed as a carrier, principally of coals, 

between this town and Wellington, and being exemplary as an industrious, honest and 

sober man, was not only much esteemed by his general acquaintance, but by every 

respectable person in his neighbourhood. On hearing of the accident, the Rev W P 

Thomas very kindly sent off his servant to ascertain his condition, and offered every 

possible assistance; and that gentleman, with W Jones esq of Foxdown, E A 

Sandford esq of Nynehead,and many other benevolent persons, both in Wellington 

and in this town, have concurred in a subscription for the benefit of the deceased’s 

widow and her six children. One of the unfortunate man’s sons, about eight years of 

age, was with is father at the moment of the accident, and very piteously wept over 

and bemoaned the agonies of his parent. The owners of the bear were admonished that 

they would not be allowed to quit the town until the final result of the calamity they 

had occasioned could be ascertained. Very early, however, the next morning, (Friday) 

they managed to release the animal from the place where it had been confined, and 

escaping with it towards Wiveliscombe, have not since been heard of. 

July 30 th 1828 

On Sunday and yesterday, an inquest was holden before Jacob Watson, esq mayor of 

this town, an the body of a child aged between four or five years, named Sparry. A 

great number of witnesses were called for, from whose evidence, it appeared that on 

Tuesday last, as the child was crossing the High Street in this town, a man named 

James White was riding furiously through the street, and his horse struck the child 

down, and the injury he sustained was the consequence of his death. On White’s 

behalf, several persons were called, who had seen the horse run away, and proved that 

it was out of White’s power to stop him. The jury, after a patient investigation of the 

case, returned a verdict of Manslaughter against James White, he having been guilty 

of great negligence in riding the horse with a snaffle bit. 

A fatal accident occurred in North Street, opposite the Savings Bank, in this town, on 

Saturday last. Thomas Glass aged 18, in the employ of Mr Bond, of Wellington, 

whilst sitting on the shaft of his waggon, laden with coals, in the act of mending his 

whip, fell on the ground, between the body and the fore wheel of the waggon, which, 

passing over him, caused such violent internal injury, that the deceased expired in a 

few minutes. At the Coroner’s inquest held on the body on Monday, Mr H Liddon, 

surgeon, stated that he had examined the body of the deceased, and had found that the 

blood vessels of the large globe of the liver had been completely ruptured, and that the 

abdomen was filled with blood. The Jury returned a verdict if Accidental Death. 

Inquests recently taken by Mr Ashford. 

At Pensford, on the body of Thomas Price, who was accidentally drowned. Verdict 

Accordingly. 

78

At Marston, near Frome, on the body of Elisha Pope, groom to the Earl of Cork, who, 

while saddling his Lordship’s horse, dropped down, and instantly expired, in 

consequence of rupturing a blood vessel. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Coomb Hay, on the body of Geo Hill, a child, who fell into a tub of boiling water, 

and was so dreadfully scalded that he died in a few days. 

At Batheaston, on the body of Benjamin Abrahams, who, having got out of his 

depth whilst bathing in the River Avon, was drowned. Verdict in each of the last 

cases, Accidental Death. 

At Wincanton, on the body of Samuel Roberts, a blacksmith, who hung himself. It 

appeared in evidence, that the deceased had been labouring under insanity for a 

considerable time; he had been very narrowly watched until within a few days, when 

he appeared so far recovered as to be enabled to follow his business. Verdict, Insanity. 


Shocking Accident. A labouring man named John Wall, in a fit, fell into a lime kiln, 

at West Hatch, on Wednesday last, and was so dreadfully burnt before he was 

discovered, that he was conveyed to the Taunton and Somerset hospital, but with faint 

hopes of his recovery. 


The late mail coach accident at Wiveliscombe. 

An inquest was held on Thursday last, at the Lion inn, at Wiveliscombe, on the body 

of Mrs Abigail Slowly, whose death was occasioned by the overturning of the 

Barnstaple mailcoach on Saturday se’nnight. The following gentlemen composed the 

jury:- Messrs James Waldron, Forman; Nicholas Collard, Horatio Dunn, Henry 

Trewolla, Henry Pyke, John Rogers, J.B.Clarke, J.A.Smyth, Henry Davey, Wm. 

Collard, John Taylor, Joseph Powell, Wm. Dunn, Thos. Criddle and John 

Norman. The Jury, after viewing the body, examined the witnesses:- 

Henry Sully, esq M.D. having been sworn, deposed that about 2 o’clock on Saturday 

last, he arrived at Wiveliscombe, from Taunton, and found the deceased in bed at the 

Lion Inn; he made some enquiries as to the injury she had sustained, and found that 

she was perfectly sensible. Witness had ascertained that the deceased had a complaint 

in the chest, for some time previous to the accident. Mr S. found her in a state of 

considerable exhaustion, owing to a blow which had been occasioned by a trunk 

falling on her chest. The deceased had also her arm fractured, which was of no 

material consequence. A stronger person would have resisted the fall of the trunk, but 

where there was previous disease, death was accelerated by that circumstance. 

Deceased was attended by witness, Mr Cranmer, and Mr West, until the hour of her 

death. She had never said that the accident was attributed to any person or persons. 

There were several external marks on the chest. Deceased’s eye was also bruised and 

lacerated, the vision was not however impaired. The death was evidently occasioned 

by the blow received. 

Mr John Featherstone, Surveyor of the Wiveliscombe Roads, sworn, stated, that on 

Saturday last, about 20 minutes after ten, he was standing near the Lion Inn, at the 

time the mail arrived. There were two ladies on the roof, and the mails topped at the 

Lion Inn to change horses. It is usual on the stoppage of the coach to plug the hind 

wheels; this was done on the present occasion. Witness saw the horses changed; they 

were apparently quiet with the exception of the off-leader, which had been slightly 

irritated whilst the horsekeeper was adjusting the reins. Previous to the horses starting, 

the coachman was at the head of the off-leader, and the horses at the time were 

79

perfectly steady. No one was seen to whip the horses or to frighten them, and if they 

had witness must have seen it. On a sudden the horses unaccountably moved off. As 

they started the guard was on the near side of the coach an endeavouring to put on the 

drag. The coachman and both horsekeepers held on, and endeavoured to stop the 

horses. Witness thinks the drag was not on, and that the plug had not been removed; it 

is not usual to put on the drag, except at the time the plugs are taken away. Has been 

in the habit of seeing these horses on the road, also at the Lion Inn, has frequently 

travelled with them, and ever found them perfectly quiet. The coach had been stopped 

at the usual place, and the horses on starting instantly got into a gallop. The horse 

keepers and the coachman held on as long as they were able, which was more than 

half way down the street, until they were in imminent danger of their lives. Witness 

followed the coach for a considerable distance; saw the near wheel above the ground, 

and heard the coach go over, but did not see the coach upset, and was the first to come 

up to it after the accident. At the spot where the coach was overturned, witness 

considers it necessary that something should be done for the protection of travelling. 

Mr Clatworthy, clothier, said that it was usual on the starting of the coach, to remove 

the plugs, and put on the drag, and on this occasion, every diligence was used, by the 

horse-keepers, guard and coachman. He further stated, that the evidence given by the 

last witness, was in every way correct, and similar to his own, but that he did not see 

the mail come in. 

Mr John Featherstone, re-examined. There was nothing in the road to impede the 

passing of the coach. 

John Harris, blacksmith, saw the coach coming down the street at full speed, and 

when it got to the bottom of the street, round the corner, the leaders had been freed 

from the coach, (by the props of the main bar having been broken) and were got over 

a low wall, into the area near witness’s house; at this moment he saw the coach with 

the deceased on top, overturn, he observed her on the ground after the coach was 

upset, and a trunk, leathern apron and coat lying on the deceased. The trunk was very 

heavy, being nearly a hundred weight. Deceased when taken up appeared to be dead; 

Witness assisted in carefully removing her to the Lion Inn. 

Mr West, pupil to Dr Sully, said that he also assisted in bringing the deceased to the 

Inn, and afterwards saw her so often, that he was confident every care and attention 

had been paid to her. 

The Coroner here observed, that he was perfectly satisfied, from the evidence which 

had been adduced, that not the slightest blame could be attached to the guard, 

coachman, or proprietors, and in this belief the jury expressed their decided 

concurrence; who having been left to consider their verdict, in ten minutes returned 

the following:- “The Jury are all unanimously of opinion that Mrs Abigail Slowly died 

in consequence of an injury sustained by the overturning of the Barnstaple mailcoach, 

which happened by mere accident, and without the slightest inattention or 

negligence of the coachman, guard or any other person.” 

At the suggestion of the Coroner, in conclusion of the above inquest, it was deemed 

necessary that a deodand should be levied; but whether it should be declared on the 

horses, coach, or trunk was a matter of some discussion. The horses or coach were 

evidently the remote cause of the accident – the trunk the immediate one; and the 

Foreman of the inquest having aptly quoted the Hudibrastic proverb – 

“Whatever moves and strikes on dead 

It’s deodand and forfeited”. 

It was finally decided that a deodand of one shilling should be levied on the trunk. 

80

Calamitous Occurrence. 

Yesterday (Monday) another melancholy accident occurred on the River Avon. The 

circumstances are as follows: A party of three persons consisting of Mr Hooper, 

brother of Mr Hooper of Cornwall Buildings Walcot; Miss Harriet Heath, residing at 

the same place; and Miss Ann Norvill, her niece; ventured on an acquatic excursion. 

It appears that on taking the boat, the young man was cautioned to be careful in 

managing it, the water being unusually high; and subsequently they were advised not 

to approach to near to Pulteney Bridge; failing to pay timely attention to this 

admonition, the boat was carried by the violence of the current under the bridge and 

precipitated upon the weirs below, where it was upset. Miss Heath retained sufficient 

presence of mind to grasp at the hatches, by which she held until a boat from the 

lower water was brought to rescue her from her perilous situation; Mr Hooper was 

also taken into it; but Miss Norvill sank to rise no more! The deceased had just 

attained her 15 th year. The affliction of her bereaved parents can be better conceived 

than described. The body was found soon after10 o’clock this morning, near the South 

Parade ferry, and was conveyed to the Shakespeare tavern, in Orchard Street, where 

an inquest will be holden this day by the Mayor. 

Insanity and Murder. 

At the Wells Assizes, a poor woman named Elizabeth Joyce, was indicted for having 

murdered her own son in the gaol at Shepton Mallet, by seizing him by the heels and 

beating his brains out against the bed post. It appeared from the evidence, that the 

prisoner had formerly been subject to violent paroxysms of insanity while nursing, 

and that she always suffered under what is called “the milk fever” whilst in a 

purpureal state. She was in this condition when brought to the gaol and the milk fever 

had been aggravated by her having drunk some beer, and been much jolted in the 

vehicle which conveyed her to prison. She was shut up in a dark cell in the gaol, and 

this she herself assigned as the immediately exciting cause of the fit of madness in 

which she killed her child. She was proved to be very affectionate towards the 

deceased as well as her other children and the jury acquitted her of the murder, on the 

ground of her being insane at the time of the act. Mr Justice Park made some 

observations upon the case, in the course of which he stated that many wise men had 

been of opinion that solitary confinement was, in many instances, the cause of 

madness, and that such a punishment ought, therefore, to be resorted to with the 

greatest caution. 



On Friday the 12 th inst, on George Collard, aged seven years. Deceased was the son 

of a thatcher, of this town, and had been attending his father: having finished some 

work, he was on his way home, but not by the regular path, and, having attempted to 

pass over a clize (or flood gate) he fell into a pool, near French Weir, where, in about 

two hours afterwards, he was found drowned. 

At Nether Stowey, on the 9 th instant, on Betty Swaffield, wife of the clerk of that 

parish, aged 60. It appeared, that on the preceding Sunday, some altercation had taken 

place at the house where deceased lived, in consequence of one of the family having 

misconducted himself – that deceased, being rather timid and nervous, had left the 

premises, and proceeded to a neighbour’s house, out of the noise – that the person, to 

whose house she went, left her there alone, except an infant, and that, on her return, 

81

she found deceased stretched on the floor, quite dead. There were no marks of 

violence about her. The jury returned a verdict of – Died by Visitation of God. 



On Wednesday last, an inquest was held at Tatworth, near Chard, before Mr Caines, 

on Eliza Stevens, aged 11 years. From the evidence, it appeared that on the preceding 

Monday a woman, named Russell, was riding on horseback, on a man’s saddle, on the 

Turnpike road leading from Axminster to Chard, and that the deceased, who was 

walking with her sister, asking permission to ride, she took her behind her, on the 

horse’s bare back. Having proceeded a few yards towards Chard, they heard a coach 

coming down the hill towards them, and there being a bend in the road, with high 

banks on each side, they did not see the vehicle until it nearly reached them, when the 

woman alarmed at the near approach of the coach, gave a shriek, and the horse 

having, as the witness expressed it, “shoved back,” they both fell, and the hind wheel 

came in contact with the thigh of the deceased, but did not go over her. The coachman 

immediately pulled up, and every attention was shewn to the females by the 

passengers, but the violence of the fall caused the rupture of a vessel on the brain, of 

which the deceased died instantly. Among the passengers was Admiral Rodd, who 

was sitting on the box, by the side of the coachman, and who, with another gentleman, 

who also witnessed the melancholy scene, addressed letters to the Coroner, 

exonerating the coachman from any blame. On the conclusion of the evidence, the 

Coroner and Jury went to view the spot, and on the road being measured found that it 

was only 15 feet wide from bank to bank, including a drain of two feet, into which, if 

the wheels had passed, the coach would in all probability have been upset. The jury 

returned their verdict that “the death was accidental, but in some degree attributable to 

the narrowness of the road, and that no blame was attached to the coachman or any 

other person.” 


Yesterday, (Monday) afternoon, as two me named Forester and Johns, were engaged 

on Bridgwater Quay, some altercation ensued, when Johns, who was in liquor, struck 

Forester; the latter returned the blow, and Johns fell over the iron railing into the river 

– a distance of 20 feet; he was shortly after taken up, quite dead, and dreadfully 

disfigured by the violence of the fall. Forester is in gaol, until the result of the 

Coroner’s Inquest shall be known. 


At the Luttrell Arms, Dunster, yesterday, on the body of Thomas Cade, aged 61. 

Deceased, with a man named Pole, of Bridgwater, left the latter place in a gig on the 

5 th ult, to proceed to Minehead; at which place they arrived, and returned by way of 

Dunster, and left at six in the evening, on their return home. On descending the hill 

near Loxhole Bridge, the horse suddenly sprang to one side; deceased fell out, and 

Pole jumped after him; but the horse having run away with the gig, and Pole, not 

having then ascertained that deceased had sustained any injury, ran after and secured 

the horse. On his return to his companion, he found him with a compound fracture of 

his leg. He was conveyed back to Dunster, and the fracture was reduced, and 

amputation advised, but then rejected. On Sunday week, the operation was performed, 

and the leg amputated, and deceased was going well until Saturday last, when he died 

of apoplexy. Verdict – “That deceased accidentally fell out of the gig, and that the 

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fracture was caused by a kick from the horse.” Deodand on the horse, 40s. It was 

satisfactorily proved that no blame attached to the driver or any other person. 

Death by Fighting. 

On Thursday evening, a quarrel took place at the Penn Mill Inn, near Yeovil, between 

a journeyman glover, named Allen, and an itinerant dealer in corks, named Smith, in 

consequence of which the former challenged the latter to fight. Smith, who was in 

some degree intoxicated, was at first unwilling to comply, but provoked by his 

antagonist, and urged by his wife! he at length entered into the contest, 

And in the second round received a blow in the neck, which in the state of 

excitement, arising from liquor and anger, he was in at the moment, caused instant 

death. A Coroner’s inquest was held on the body on Friday evening, by Mr Uphill, 

when a verdict of manslaughter was returned against Allen, who has absconded. 

October 22 nd 1828 

On Monday morning about 8 o’clock, a person named John Priddy of Freshford 

committed suicide by cutting his throat in a dreadful manner. It appears that he had 

given up a good situation in expectation of receiving some property, but which it 

seems did not amount to what he had anticipated. We regret to state he has left a 

family of small children to deplore his loss. 

A youth named Dudden, about 17 years of age, in the employ of Mr Wm Perkins, of 

Wells, was found, on Saturday last, nearly lifeless on the road-side, about a mile from 

that city, just where the road branches off to Bath and Frome. His head was fractured, 

his chest crushed, and bruises appeared on his side, thighs and legs. It appeared he had 

been driving an empty cart, without any reins, which was found, at a short distance, 

on the Bath road. From the boy’s known ill treatment of the horse, and the appearance 

of stripes recently inflicted on the animal, it is conjectured, that while going at a rapid 

pace, to prevent the horse turning to the left, to proceed up the Bath road, the boy 

leaped from the cart, and must have been crushed between it and the wall, underneath 

which he was found, as his route lay on the Frome road. He was taken to a 

neighbouring cottage of his master, where medical aid was soon procured, but without 

avail. He appeared totally insensible, became convulsed, threw up a large quantity of 

blood, and shortly afterwards expired. 


Yesterday, at the George Inn, High Street, in this town, on the body of Joseph 

Pitman, painter, aged 48. It appeared, that on Monday se’nnight, deceased, who was 

infirm, was crossing the road, opposite Paul Street, at the time the North Devon coach 

was leaving this place for London. The coach was going at a very slow pace – not 

more than five miles an hour. The coachman, seeing the man in some danger, called 

to him; but he appeared to take no notice, and was knocked down and trodden upon 

by one of the leaders, by which means one of his ribs was fractured, and he died, in 

consequence, on Sunday night. Several persons of respectability attended the inquest, 

and most completely exonerated the coachman from all possible blame. 

On Monday, at Somerton, on Henry Pittard, aged four years. On Saturday last, 

deceased, with another child, was playing at his father’s lime kiln, and having gone 

too near the edge of the pit, his frock took fire, and he was so dreadfully burnt, that he 

expired in about six hours. 

At Moorlinch, on the 15 th inst, on Geo Venn, age 74, who, on the preceding day, 

being employed with his son in taking down an old cob wall, which had been propped 

83

up by a stone buttress, on removing the support, the wall fell with such force upon the 

old man as to occasion his death in a few hours. Verdict, in each of the above cases, 


On Friday, at South Petherton, on Betty Priddle, aged 64. Deceased was sister to Mrs 

Clarke, of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, in South Petherton, and occasionally assisted there. 

On Wednesday, she went into the cellar, to draw beer, where she was found dead. 

On Elizabeth Burge, aged 42, who died from the effects of abscess, on the road 

between this town and Thurlbeer, on Thursday last. Verdict, in the two last cases, 



A fine girl, about five years old, daughter of Mr William Withers, at Milton, near 

Wells, was dreadfully burnt on Friday last, by a spark from the wood fire on the 

hearth having caught her clothes; her mother, who had but just gone upstairs for some 

domestic purpose, being alarmed by the sudden piercing shrieks of her child, 

immediately hastened down, and found her completely enveloped in flames, which 

the servant girl was endeavouring to extinguish, which it seemed had been drawn 

from the dairy room by her cries – the utmost promptitude was however insufficient, 

and surgical aid proved ineffectual; she died early on the following morning. A 

Coroner’s inquest has returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’. 

Yesterday an inquest was held at Wilton House of correction by Mr Caines on the 

body of Thos Burton aged 60. Deceased was a native of Cornwall and was convicted, 

at the last Somerset Michaelmas Sessions, of stealing poultry, and was sentenced to 

two months imprisonment. In a few days after his conviction, it was disclosed that he 

was labouring under a general dropsy. He was removed to the Infirmary Ward and 

regularly attended by the medical gentlemen of the prison, and every possible care 

taken of him: but he expired on Sunday last. His death was occasioned by dropsy on 

the chest. Verdict – died by visitation of God. 



At Pitney Door, in Kings Sedgemoor, on Thursday last, on the body of John Seale, 

aged five years. The father of the deceased being at work on the preceding day, about 

half a mile from his house, sent the child home for some fire, and having been 

supplied with some coals in a tin kettle, he returned towards his father; but, soon after 

leaving the cottage, his clothes took fire, and he was so dreadfully scorched, that he 

expired in three hours. 

On Friday at the Crown and Sceptre, in North Town, in the Parish of Taunton St 

James, on the body of Charles Merrick, aged five years. Deceased’s mother, on 

Saturday, the 11 th ult., had occasion to go to Wilton House of Correction, and in her 

absence, which was not more than an hour’s duration, deceased, who was left with 

another child, seven years of age, had seated himself upon the hob by the fire side, 

and, having fallen asleep, he fell into the fire, and was discovered with his clothes 

completely burnt off his back, and although attended by medical gentleman, who 

testified to the care and attention paid to the child after the accident, he expired on 

Thursday last. Verdict in each case, Accidental Death. In both these sad instances, the 

Coroner forcibly admonished the parents on their imprudence in allowing the children 

to be placed in such a situation as to lead to the disastrous results above stated, and in 

which admonition the jury unanimously concurred. 

84


At Wells, on the body of Geo Dudden, who was killed by a fall from a cart. 

At Frome Selwood, on the body of Jas Coles. It appeared in evidence that the 

deceased was a waggoner of Messrs Giles and Hooper, and in attempting to strike one 

of the horses, whilst incautiously standing on the shafts, he overbalanced himself, fell 

from the waggon, and died of effusion on the brain, produced by injury of the neck. 

The deceased bore an excellent character, and was a very valuable servant. Verdict, in 

each case, Accidental Death. 

Also, at the same place, on the body of Jas Long, who was found dead in his bed. 


At Wells, on the body of a little boy, three years and a half old, belonging to William 

Tucker, a stone-mason, who was sitting with his mother, by the fire, on Wednesday 

evening last; a spark from some wood that was burning caught his clothes, and, before 

the poor woman could extinguish the flames, the child was so shockingly burnt as to 

cause his death on Friday evening last. Verdict, Accidental Death. 


Melancholy Circumstance 

Corporal Webb, of the 3d Foot Guards, who had been stationed some years in this 

city, on the Recruiting Service, proceeded on Friday to Pensford, accompanied by a 

comrade, for the purpose of tending the fair on the next day. Having arrived at the 

place, they proceeded to the Inn, and called for some refreshments, which the 

Corporal had scarcely tasted, when he complained of a pain in the shoulder, fell 

gently on the seat and instantly expired. 

On Monday last, an elderly man, named Hugh Nicholls, of Bishopsnympton, was 

going to Dulverton, and when he came to the Cuckoo public house, about half-way on 

the road, he went to refresh himself with half a pint of beer; whilst sitting before the 

fire, he complained of being unwell, and expired soon after. 

A Coroner’s inquest was held on the body by T Copner, esq. Verdict, ‘Visitation of 

God.’ 


On Thursday last, at Oath, in the parish of Aller, on Jane Lock, aged 70. Deceased, 

on the preceding day, had taken her breakfast as usual, and gone into the fields, to 

assist in wheat sowing, where she was taken ill, and in about 20 minutes became a 

corpse. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At the Clock Inn, Rockwell Green, near Wellington, on Monday last, upon Charles 

Baker, aged seven years. Deceased, on Friday last, being alone, and having gone to 

the fire, to take off some meat which was cooking, his pinafore took fire, and his 

trowsers at the time being unbuttoned, and about his heels, the whole of his clothing 

became in a blaze, and he was discovered enveloped in flames to the height of several 

feet, and was, in consequence, so dreadfully burnt, that he expired on the same day. 


At Stoke Gregory, on T Gervis, aged 24. It appeared in evidence, that about nine 

years since, the father of the deceased became embarrassed in his circumstances, and 

was placed by the overseers of North Curry in a house in that parish, where he had 

continued ever since, rent free, and had occasionally been relieved by the overseers; 

but they had recently discovered that the man not only did not belong to their parish, 

but that he actually was in the receipt of from £20 to £30 a year; consequently they 

took legal measures for dispossessing him of the premises, an don Wednesday 

85

se’nnight, a constable, tithingman, and the overseers, went to demand possession. 

This occasioned a long discussion, and it was at length agreed that the family should 

remain in the house until noon on the following Friday. The deceased, who had been 

apprenticed to a carpenter, but had left his place on account of ill health, formed part 

of the family, and who, having heard the conversation, after the officers were gone, 

remarked, that as they must all leave, he wished to go that day to his brother’s, at 

Stoke; and a donkey being provided, he mounted accompanied by the father, and rode 

to within about 100 yards of the brother’s house, where, having dismounted, and got 

over a stile, he dropped down, and instantly expired. Mr Marchant, surgeon, 

deposed, that he had attended the deceased, who had been suffering from disease of 

the lungs – that he had seen him late on the preceding Sunday, when he appeared to 

be better – that if his opinion had been asked as to any danger of his being removed, 

he should have said "No;" and that, in his opinion, deceased died from a rupture of 

some vessel about the heart, but not from violence used towards him in any respect; 

and in his opinion the jury concurred. 

At the New Inn, Langport Westover, in Curry Rivell, on Wm Hartland, aged 60. 

Deceased had been unwell; but on Friday was at work, ate a hearty dinner, and in the 

afternoon was found dead in the garden. Verdict, as in the last case, Died by the 


At the Buck’s Head Inn, Long Sutton, on Eleanor Andersey, aged about two years. 

Deceased was an illegitimate child, and the mother, in April last, married a young 

man, named Downton, who stated in evidence, that on Friday morning he placed the 

child on a mat, at a little distance from the fire, and that he went to assist his wife in 

carrying out a basket of clothes to dry, and having so done, he went to the stable. This 

was corroborated by the wife, who added, that a few minutes after he had left the 

house, the deceased came into the garden, enveloped in flames, and was so much 

burnt, that she expired about two hours later. Verdict, Accidentally burnt. 


At Holcombe, on the body of Jas Chivers, who died in consequence of an explosion 

of fire damp at the Coal-barton Colliery, occasioned by one of the men incautiously 

carrying alighted candle in his hand to his work, under ground, instead of using one of 

the safety lamps, which had been provided for that purpose by the proprieters. 


At Pensford, on the body of Robert Webb, a corporal in the 3d Foot Guards, who had 

been sent from Bath with a recruiting party, for the purpose of attending the fair at 

Pensford the following day. The deceased was on the point of taking some 

refreshment, when he complained of a pain in his chest and shoulder, sat down on a 

form, and instantly expired. 

At Temple Cloud, on the body of Mr Joseph Kingston, a respectable farmer, who, 

whilst attending his work people in the field, died in a fit of apoplexy. Verdicts, in the 

two last cases, Died by the Visitation of God. 

At Cheddar, on the body of Farmer Tucker, of Westbury, near Wells, who was 

found lifeless on the road-side near Cheddar. It appears that the deceased had been 

attending Axbridge Fair, and was returning thence late in the evening, when, it is 

supposed, he was thrown from his horse into a wet ditch, and killed by the contusions 

received in the fall, or by suffocation from the water, in which he was found the next 

morning. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

At Bruton, on the body of Peter Padfield, who died from excessive drinking. Verdict 

accordingly. 

86

At Keynsham, on the body of Wm Cantle, aged about six years, who, with some 

other children, got into an empty cart that was proceeding down Dapps Hill, which 

unfortunately upset, and killed the child on the spot. Verdict, Accidental Death. 



On Wednesday last, at the Waggon and Horses, in East Reach, on the body of Jacob 

Newman, aged 40. From the evidence of Mrs Taylor, the landlady, it appeared that 

deceased came to the house on Thursday night; the next day he paid for his bed, and 

went in and out of the house several times. About nine in the evening he returned, and 

appeared to have had a fall, from the dirty appearance of his coat; he had some gin 

and ale and went to bed. On Saturday morning he complained much and said, if some 

one did not come and see him soon, he must die. A medical gentleman attended, and 

deceased told him, that in running to get over a staked gate, he seriously injured 

himself. He was treated with the utmost attention and kindness; but mortification had 

taken place, and he expired on Tuesday morning. Deceased did not impute blame to 

any one, and was perfectly satisfied with everything that had been done for him. 


Desperate Suicide. 

A most tragic scene presented itself on Thursday morning last, at Chargott Lodge, 

near Dunster, the residence of Rowland Unwin, esq., and on Saturday, an inquest was 

held by Mr Caines. Sixteen respectable jurors being sworn, and the body of a female, 

aged 38, having been inspected, evidence was adduced to the following effect:- Mrs 

Broughton, on whose control the female part of the establishment devolved, deposed, 

that on the Wednesday month preceding, the deceased, Martha Lonsdale, came to 

the Lodge, having been engaged by an agent in London, and she was to undertake the 

duty of a plain cook. Witness thought deceased appeared to look wild, and that he 

manner and conduct were altogether strange. On the following morning deceased 

commenced the duties expected from her, but in a very unsatisfactory manner. Several 

letters of character were produced and read; from one of which it appeared that 

deceased had lived in the Talbot family, whose mansion was burnt to the ground some 

months since, and that her last situation was in Welbeck Street, London. Deceased 

continued to get on but very indifferently for a fortnight, when witnesses discovered 

she had committed a strange and unaccountable mistake in preparing dinner, so that 

the article was actually unfit for use, and thrown away. Another similar 

disappointment soon followed, when witness remonstrated, and deceased gave 

warning to leave at the expiration of the month. This was readily acceded to by 

witness, and arrangements were made accordingly. From the time deceased came to 

the Lodge, she appeared to continue as at first described; and witness added, that she 

several times saw her crying, and on one occasion lifting up her hands as if in the 

deepest grief. On Wednesday last, the month having expired, witness called deceased 

into the drawing-room, to settle wages. Thirty-five shillings was the sum due to her; 

but, for some reason, it seemed desirable that she should be actually leaving the 

Lodge before she was paid. It was pretty clearly ascertained that deceased had no 

more money, and she begged seven shillings of witness, which was promised her 

when she left. In the course of that day, witness sent for a man to take her to Dunster; 

but when the man came, although at her own request, she refused to go. At length it 

was arranged that she should leave at about noon on Thursday; but, on that day, the 

house-maid having been directed to ascertain that the plate and other things were all 

87

ight, she missed a silver spoon and a dessert knife, and having gone up stairs, to ask 

the deceased for those articles, she found the bedroom fast, and received no answer on 

calling to her. At length other persons came up, the door was opened, and deceased 

was found lying on her face, weltering in blood, having cut her throat with the knife 

that had been lost, and which was lying by her side. 

Mr Abraham, surgeon, was sent for, and he examined the body, which was dead and 

cold. There were two cuts across the throat, and three stabs; the latter were such as to 

have caused instant death. 

All the domestics corroborated the evidence of the first witness, as to the wild 

appearance and general conduct of the deceased. 

Deceased had destroyed many papers on the preceding day – and on opening her 

boxes &c – it appeared that her whole stock of money, amounted only to three half 

pence. 

The jury were unanimously of opinion that the dreadful act was committed by herself, 

and that when she did so she was melancholy and distracted, and they returned a 

verdict to that effect. 

The gardener and groom both considered her in a distressed situation and they had 

both promised to render her some pecuniary assistance. Deceased was 38 years if age 

and a native of the county of Durham. 

December 3 rd 1828 


On the 30 th ult, at Donyat, near Ilminster, on Richard Thorn, aged 38. On Friday the 

28 th , deceased was employed with three other persons in grinding apples, when he 

suddenly became unable to proceed further with his labour, sat down, and complained 

of severe pains in his stomach. His companions carried him into his own house, and 

up stairs. A surgeon was instantly sent for, but before he arrived deceased was a 

corpse. A short time before deceased was seized as described, he had eaten heartily, 

and appeared in perfect health. The surgeon, Mr Sampson, who attended the Inquest, 

stated, that in his opinion, some vessel had suddenly given way, in consequence of a 

little exertion; at a time when the stomach was rather full. 

Yesterday, at the workhouse of Taunton St Mary Magdalene, on the body of William 

Buncombe, aged 68. Deceased had been for many years in a deranged state of mind, 

and for a long time has been confined to his bed. On Sunday morning, when the 

woman went to make his bed, at the usual time, she found him a corpse. Many 

witnesses were called to prove that the deceased had experienced every possible care 

and attention, and this was most satisfactorily exemplified. Verdict, as in the last 

mentioned case, Died by the Visitation of God. 

R Unwin esq, of Chargot Lodge, has favoured us with some additional particulars 

respecting his female servant, whose suicide was stated in our last. It seems that not 

the slightest doubt can arise as to the woman’s insanity, not only from the first 

moment of her entering his service, but at the time, also, when she quitted London. 

She had proposed to quit her place at midnight, which was very properly objected to 

until the morning. Mr Unwin says there was no imputation on her honesty. 

“She had said she had as many letters in her boxes as would take three days to read, 

and that their contents were such as she should be sorry for any master to see. It 

afterwards appeared she was up a whole night burning these papers, and as she had 

threatened to “kick up a row” before she left. I am inclined since to think these words 

alluded to the manner of her death, by which she thought others would be brought into 

88

trouble. I also think she destroyed any money she was possessed of, as she had five 

pounds when she left London; but it is difficult to say, as her boxes were never sealed, 

and had to wait the Coroner’s arrival. In her last situation, her fits of passion were so 

great that she has been known to faint under them. She was in the habit of swearing 

on the most trifling occasions, and from her coming here in a post chaise, and from on 

of her limbs being found tied or bandaged, I have no doubt she laboured under some 

bodily as well as mental disease, as she was lame, and complained that she could not 

sleep at night. He relations assert that her passions were most violent, and as to her 

age being 38, she looked at least 50, with a wild maniac appearance about her eyes 

and temples. For any one to have opposed her departure, would have been “penny 

wise and pound foolish,” as her funeral has not cost me less than £6.” 


We are concerned to state, that Richard Cook, esq, of Ileigh water, near Chard, on 

the evening of Saturday se’nnight last was so seriously burnt in his sitting room, by 

the sofa on which he was sitting having caught fire, that he expired on the Wednesday 

following. Mr Cook was a gentleman well known in this town, and was lodging at 

Chard when the melancholy event occurred. 


Fatal Accident. On Friday last, about five o’clock, Mr Faithful Cape, a highly 

respectable farmer, of Cottey Farm, near Wellington, was returning home, on 

horseback, from the house of his landlord, J.Waldron, esq of Bishop’s Hull, 

accompanied by his daughter, who was also on horseback. Whether deceased found 

himself unwell, or became fearful of the mare he was riding (a very spirited animal) is 

not known, but he said, “My dear Jane, don’t ride so fast; if you do, I shall never get 

home!” Shortly after this, they passed a cart on one of the bridges, called ‘The Three 

Bridges,’ and were then riding at a rather slower pace; but, soon after, Mr Cape’s 

horse made a spring or start, and went off at great speed – so much so, that from the 

time of the evening, and a bend in the road, he was soon out of sight. Miss Cape 

followed, and soon came up to her father, who was lying on the road, speechless. 

Assistance soon arrived, when the deceased was placed in the cart before mentioned, 

and taken to Wellington, where the body was examined by Mr Pyne, surgeon, who 

opened the jugular vein, from which blood flowed copiously, but, from the evidence 

given at the inquest, it appeared that the skull was fractured at its base, and that he 

ceased to breathe shortly after he was put into the cart, nearly three miles from 

Wellington. An inquest was held on Saturday, at the Eight Bells Inn, Wellington, 

when the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death by falling from a bay mare. 

Deodand 40s. 

On the 5thh instant, at Chedzoy, near Bridgwater, on Betty Gillard, an elderly 

woman, who lived in an apartment of a house alone, and slept in the same room which 

was below stairs. She was a person generally esteemed, and visited by respectable 

persons, and, amongst others, by a farmer, of the village, named Crane, who used to 

read to her, and generally left her at her usual bed time, rather early in the evening. On 

Tuesday, he quitted her, apparently in perfect health, and was the last person who saw 

her alive. Wednesday morning, a neighbour, who lived under the same roof, on going 

to light her fire, discovered her lying on the floor, in a dying state, and without any 

other clothing than her chemise. Neighbours were called in, and deceased expired in a 

few minutes. Verdict. Died by the Visitation of God. 

89

On the 7 th inst, at Luckham, near Porlock, on Ann Vaulter, aged 10 years, who, on 

the 2d instant, was employed in keeping birds from off the recently sown wheat, and 

having kindled a fire, her pinafore caught in a blaze, and in a few minutes the whole 

of her clothes were burnt off her back. In this state the poor little thing ran across the 

field to another child similarly employed; and the mother, being at a short distance, 

carried the sufferer home. Medical aid was immediately called in, but of no avail, the 

burns being so extensive, that in three hours death put a period to her existence. 


A singular coincidence occurred during the time this inquest was being held, which 

was at the house of the overseer:- A person came to announce that a pauper, William 

Withycombe, an elderly man, had been found dead at the poor house. The jury being 

resworn, and witnesses examined, it appeared that a person had been employed by the 

overseer to attend to the deceased, but that she had not seen him for the last 24 hours 

previously to his death, and even then not until it was known that the man was dead, 

He had, however, been supplied with sustenance in the interim from the Parsonage. 

The conduct of this unfeeling wretch, and another woman who lived in the same 

house, was very properly censured by the Coroner and Jury. Verdict, Died by the 



At Rodden, on the body of an old woman named Betty Harris, who was found dead 

in the road leading from Frome to Rodden. It was supposed she died from overexertion, 

having walked many miles during the day. Verdict, Died by Visitation of 

God. 

At Wincanton, on the body of Thomas Read, a boy about 14 years of age, who. 

Whilst cutting some sticks from a tree which hung over a river, fell in and was 

drowned. 

At Woolard, near Pensford, on Elizabeth Druggest. The deceased had been desired 

by her mistress to wash some clothes, and instead of washing them in the house, as 

was the usual custom, she took them to the side of the river to do it; deceased not 

coming home so soon as she was expected, her master sent a person to see for her, but 

she could not be found; they then went to the side of the river, where they saw some 

of the clothes washed, and the rest floating on the water; they immediately 

commenced dragging the river, but did not succeed in finding her till the next 

morning. Verdict, in the last two cases, Accidental Death. 

At Brislington, on John Weeks, a gardener. It appeared from the evidence of Thomas 

Nott, that he saw the deceased come into the tap room of the White Hart at 

Brislington, about six o’clock in the evening, when he appeared very much 

intoxicated. Deceased called for a pint of beer, of which witness took one glass. 

Witness did not see any more of him till nine o’clock; he was sitting in the same 

place, and did not seem much more intoxicated than when he came in. Witness (being 

an old acquaintance of the deceased) waited till after 10 o’clock to see him home; they 

went into the bar and had one glass of gin and water each, after which they went out 

into the road together, to go home, when witness found he could not get him home, 

and took him back to the inn, and requested Mr King, the landlord, to let him have a 

bed there, to which Mr King immediately consented, and assisted the deceased 

upstairs, and laid him on the bed; deceased refused to have his clothes off, as he said 

he should only want to lie down for an hour or two; the landlord then left, and saw no 

more of him till he was called the next morning, when he found a corpse. Verdict, 

Died of Apoplexy, brought on by excessive drinking. 

90

At Marston, on the body of James Ashford, who had been at work with a team of 

horses, hauling stones for the repairs of the road, and whilst taking off one of the 

horses, to give it some hay, the horse kicked the boy in the back part of the head, 

which caused his death in a few hours. 

And at Lullington, on the body of a child, only two years old, who, in the absence of 

its mother, fell into a well and was drowned. Verdict in both cases, “Accidental 

Death.” 


The Inquest held on Mr Smith, the unfortunate gentleman who destroyed himself at 

the London Inn, in this town, as stated in our last, returned, as we anticipated, a 

verdict of “Insanity,” the propriety of which was fully borne out by the evidence 

adduced on this occasion. Mr Stanley, partner in the very respectable firm, in King 

Street, Cheapside, London, of which Mr Smith was the principal, attended, with Mr 

Stanley’s brother, to the funeral of the deceased on Sunday last. 


On Thursday last, at Wick, in the parish of Stogursey, on Geo. Dyer, aged 72. 

Deceased was a small farmer, and had for many months appeared much impaired in 

intellect, and shown strong symptoms of insanity. On the Tuesday preceding, he had 

left his house, and on his wife going to look for him, she discovered him drowned in a 

small pit of water not more than 12 inches deep, in the cattle yard. There being no 

positive proof that the deceased had drowned himself, the jury, at the suggestion of 

the Coroner, returned a verdict of Found Drowned. 

And on Friday last, at Bathpool, near this town, on Mr Abraham Hobbs, aged 58. 

Deceased had been much afflicted with gout, and had for some years retired from 

business; and lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr England. On Tuesday 

se’nnight, after taking some broth, he was attended by Mrs England, to his bed-room, 

when, after getting into bed, he said he felt comfortable. In about an hour afterwards, 

Mrs England had again occasion to go into her father’s apartment, and found him 

dead. Verdict, Died by Visitation of God. 



At the Clock Inn, Rockwell Green, in the parish of Wellington, on the body of Isaac 

Channon, a boy, under ten years of age. The jury having been sworn, the Coroner 

observed that it frequently happened that there was no mystery or difficulty in 

occurrences which Coroner’s Juries had to investigate, neither did there appear to be 

any mystery or difficulty in the present case; but, if the information he had received 

was correct, there must be considerable blame attached somewhere. The legislature 

had very wisely provided by the Statute 3 Geo IV (the General Turnpike Act) that if 

any person entrusted the care of a cart to a child under the age of thirteen, such person 

should be subject to the penalty therein stated, recoverable before any Magistrate in 

the district in which such offence was committed; and he hoped and trusted, that if the 

facts in the present instance were as they had been represented, such steps would be 

taken as should prevent a similar occurrence. It appeared in evidence, that on Friday 

last, the deceased, with three other boys, having the care of loaded carts, were passing 

on the turnpike road, near the eight-mile stone upon the road towards Cullompton, 

when the horse that the deceased was driving made a spring to the side of the road, 

and knocked him down; the near wheel passing over his body, he was taken up, 

placed in a cart, and conveyed to the house above mentioned; but before medical 

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assistance arrived, he was a corpse. Verdict, Accidentally killed by a cart. Deodand on 

the horse 3l. and on the wheel 10s. We understand that some of the principal persons 

composing the jury undertook to apply to a Magistrate for a summons to recover the 

penalty from the owner of the cart. 

December 31 st 1828 

On Monday evening, John Eardley, a shoemaker, of North Curry, was discovered 

lying on the ground at Creech Moor, apparently in a state of intoxication; he was 

lifted up by a person named Lockyer, who resided near the spot, and left to pursue his 

journey towards home. Nothing more was heard of him until yesterday morning., 

when his body was discovered in a pond belonging to Mr Chard, of Ham, within a 

short distance of the place where he was assisted by Lockyer. It is supposed that the 

deceased, in consequence of his inebriety, accidentally fell into the water, and met his 

death as above described. – A Coroner’s jury has been summoned to sit upon the 

body. 


On Wednesday evening last, at the Dolphin Inn, in Ilminster, on Jas. Austin, aged 35. 

This inquest excited much interest, and occupied a considerable time before a 

respectable jury, of which V.T.Langworthy, Esq was Foreman. The deceased 

formerly conducted himself with much propriety, but had for a long time been a 

frequenter of public houses – was much addicted to drinking, and led a dissolute life; 

and on Sunday se’nnight he died rather suddenly. On the following morning it was 

currently reported that his death had been occasioned by something of a poisonous 

kind having been give him in beer. Mr Mules opened the body, and was fully 

convinced that the charge had been made (against a young man of respectable family) 

had no foundation whatever, and that his death had been occasioned by inflammation 

of the lungs, produced by intemperance; and the jury returned a verdict to that effect. 


At Frome, on the body of an elderly female, named Chaffen, inmate of the Blue Coat 

Asylum in that town. Deceased was found dead in her bed. Verdict, died by the 


At the Spring Garden Factories, on the body of Joseph Hooper and Peter Papps, 

workmen in the employ of Messrs Sheppard, who were, as usual, attending to a 

cistern which is used for the lately invented process of heating and steaming clothes, 

and the cover of the cistern having been removed, and Hooper sitting on its side, 

letting off the water, he was unintentionally pushed by Papps, by which he lost his 

equilibrium, when, in attempting to recover himself, he laid hold on Papps, and they 

both fell together into the cistern, containing hot water, about 18 inches deep, heated 

to 150 degrees Farenheit, and were both so dreadfully scalded as to cause their deaths 

on the third day. It is but justice to notice, that the humanity and benevolence of their 

employers were evinced by sending their own medical friends, Messrs. Millers and 

Slade, and bestowing every other requisite assistance their sympathy could suggest. 

The same day, on the body of a female child of Mr John Tuck, whose death was 

occasioned by her clothes taking fire as she was removing a saucepan from the fireplace. 

Verdict, in each of the last three cases, Accidental Death. 

At Paulton, on the body of a poor lad, who accidentally fell into a quarry, in which 

were eight or nine feet of water. A poor man, named Joseph Hew, hastened to the 

spot, and, although entreated by the by-standers not to venture, he persisted in making 

the attempt to save the life of a fellow creature, and plunged into the water, when, 

alas! Both sank into a watery grave. It was observed that the poor fellow succeeded in 

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grasping the lad, and bringing him to the edge of the water; but, as the sides were 

steep, and no footway to be obtained, his strength failed him, and both fell back, to 

rise no more. A delay of 20 minutes was occasioned in procuring ladders to get the 

bodies out, when every exertion was made to restore life, but all to no purpose. The 

jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of Accidental Death, occasioned by the 

wilful neglect of Mr Wm Bartlett, the proprietor of the quarry, in not erecting a 

fence against the said quarry, after having been repeatedly desired so to do. 



At Burnham, on the 8 th inst, on William James, aged 18. It appeared in evidence, that 

on the 13 th ult. the deceased, with three other young men, got into an empty boat, 

lying in the River Brue, a few yards above Highbridge – that the tide was receding, 

and there being a strong current in the river, almost immediately, the boat drifted 

against the middle pier of the bridge, swung round athwart the arch, and instantly 

sunk. Providentially the other three young men, with much difficulty, got ashore; but 

the deceased was never seen after the boat went down, until picked up by the crew of 

a strange vessel, off Black Rock, on Monday se’nnight. Verdict, accidentally 

drowned. 



On the 19 th inst, at the Poulett Arms Inn, at Lopen Head, near Crewkerne, on Ann 

Rowsell, aged six years. T appeared in evidence that the deceased (on the 14 th instant) 

was sitting by a fire of skimps of flax, that her clothes accidentally caught fire, and in 

that state she ran home to her parents, and by the time she arrived there she was nearly 

naked, and so dreadfully scorched that she expired on the 16 th. 


On the 24 th instant, at Tone Dale Factory, near Wellington, on Thomas Phillips, aged 

13. These premises are very extensive, and there is a large manufactory of woollen 

goods carried on by Messrs. Fox, who have for some time been making arrangements 

for lighting the whole with gas, and on Wednesday last the arrangements were nearly 

completed – Mr Charles Fox, Mr Edward Fox, and the father of the deceased, were, 

at about four in the afternoon approaching the gasometer, where he was seen looking 

down into the tank; at this instant some of the gas having escaped, an explosion took 

place, the gasometer rose, and the deceased fell into the tank, in about seven feet of 

water; and in consequence of the gasometer having again fallen, it was a considerable 

time before the deceased could be got out, when life was extinct. Mr N W Langley, 

surgeon, was soon in attendance, and he found that deceased had received a large 

wound on top of the head on the left hand side, and marks of a violent blow on the 

right side. He gave it as his opinion that the death might have happened from either of 

the following causes, namely – from the effluvia of the gas, from the pressure of the 

gasometer, or from suffocation by drowning, and the jury returned a verdict to that 

effect. 

At Ilminster, on John Coleman, a respectable tradesman, and one of the choir of 

singers. On Tuesday last deceased had been with some friends to collect some money 

for the choir; and had been taking a cheerful glass, but did not appear to be at all 

intoxicated. It was rather a late hour when he got home, and his wife gave him the key 

of the door from the bed room window. Shortly after, in ascending the stairs, he fell in 

a fit of apoplexy, and in about half an hour was a corpse. 

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At Shapwick, on Polden Hill, on John Hockey, aged 72. On Wednesday he was 

employed in digging some gutter on Rent Farm. At two o’clock he ate his dinner and 

appeared perfectly well, and at four he was found dead where he had been at work. 

And at Milverton, on Betty Graves, better known as Betty Oddy, aged 70. Deceased 

used to go round to the villages begging, and was particularly fond of her pipe. On 

Thursday she called at Court House, and having lighted her pipe she said she was 

going out to pick some sticks. On the following morning she was found frozen to 

death – Verdict, as in the three last mentioned cases, died by visitation of God. 



At Chard, on the 29 th ult, on James Bourne, aged six years. In the absence of his 

mother (who has gone for some bread) his clothes caught fire, by which means he was 

dreadfully burnt, and expired in a few hours. 

At Kingston, near this town, on the 30 th ult, on Maria Dollen, aged three years, whose 

death was occasioned by circumstances very similar to the above – verdict in each 

case, accidentally burnt. 


Jan 17, at Beckington, on the body of Martha Clements, aged 86, who was found 

dead in her bed. 

At Shotwell Farm, on Charles Symes, who died suddenly. The deceased had been a 

valuable servant to the occupiers of the farm for upwards of 40 years. 

Jan 26, at Priddy, on Jas Bishop, aged 67. The deceased had been a short distance 

from home, and on his return was taken suddenly ill (supposed from the inclemency 

of the weather) and in less than ten minutes was a corpse. Verdict, in each of the 

above cases, died by visitation of God. 

On the same day at Farmborough, on the body of Barnaby Emery. It appeared in 

evidence, that the deceased had been to Bath, with a cart load of coal, and had stopped 

at different public houses, on his way home, to drink; he was overtaken on the road by 

some of his acquaintance, who offered to treat him, if he would let them ride in his 

cart, which he promised to do; and soon after they set out, the deceased , in attempting 

to get into the cart, fell down and injured the spine of his back; he was conveyed 

home, where he lingered some time, and then expired. 

Jan 29, at Frome, on the body of Louisa Clarke, an infant, who was accidentally 

burnt to death, occasioned by her clothes taking fire in the absence of the woman who 

had taken care of her. Verdict in the last two cases, accidental death. 

The same day, at Yatton on Mrs Lucy Cook, who died suddenly. 

Jan 31, at Shepton Mallet Prison, on Chas Gilbert, aged 19. Verdict in each case, 

died by visitation of God. 

Feb 2 at Wells, on the body of two children, John Small and Geo Langworthy, who 

were accidentally drowned. Verdict accordingly. 



At Chedzoy, near Bridgwater, on Richard Sparke, aged 59. On the preceding 

Saturday deceased had been employed in thrashing barley for Mr Crane, of that 

parish; and in the evening, as he was returning to his home, he was stopped and 

searched by one of Mr Crane’s sons, who found upon him about three quarters of a 

peck of barley which he had stolen from his employer. Deceased was taken before a 

magistrate, and four persons agreed to sit up the night with him. About nine o’clock, 

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while they were at supper, deceased cut his throat with a large clasp knife, which 

occasioned his death in about half an hour. No symptoms of insanity having been at 

any time apparent, the jury, consisting of 15 persons, returned a verdict of Felo de se, 

and the Coroner issued his warrant for the interment of the body the same night, 

between the hours of 9 and 12, pursuant to the statute of the 4 th of his present Majesty. 

At Pawlett, on Ferdinando Parsons, aged five years; on the 25 th ult, while at play 

with other children, his pinafore caught fire, and he was so dreadfully burnt, that he 

died on the 6 th instant. Verdict, accidentally burnt. 

At Huntspill, on Jane Burnett, aged 15 months, who, unnoticed, escaped from her 

mother, and was shortly afterwards discovered in a ditch, in which she was drowned – 

verdict accordingly. 



At Crewkerne, on Jane Prior, aged about five years. On Monday se’nnight, the 

deceased, being on the turnpike road, was attacked by a cow in a most violent manner, 

and her death was almost instantaneous. From the evidence it appeared that the cow 

had a very young calf – that some persons were driving her out of a field, and that 

their rough treatment enraged the animal so as to cause her to make the desperate 

attack on the child, as at other times she was very gentle. Verdict, Accidentally killed 

by a cow. Deodand £5. 

At Wiveliscombe, on Isaac White, who, on the 13 th instant, was employed in driving 

a horse and cart, laden with turnips, when the breeching harness got loosened; the 

horse became unmanageable – drew one wheel against a bank, and upset the cart upon 

the deceased, by which means his collar bone and three of his ribs were broken, and 

he expired on the 16 th . Verdict, accidentally killed by a cart falling upon him. 

Deodand upon the cart 1s. 


On Saturday evening, a hamper, apparently containing wine, was brought to the 

George Inn in this town, for the purpose of being sent to London, by the Freemason 

Coach; the bosqer thinking the straw appeared very loose, put his hand into the 

bottom of the basket, when he felt the feet of a human body. The hamper was 

immediately opened, and it was found to contain the body of a woman. Immediate 

search was made in the churchyards around, and on the following morning it was 

discovered that a grave had been opened in the churchyard of Cannington, and the 

body of a woman who had been buried there on Friday, extracted. Several persons are 

now in custody, on suspicion of being concerned in this affair, but the man who 

brought the hamper to the George has absconded. 

Inquests, before Frederick Axford, esq Mayor of Bridgwater. 

On Friday, on the body of a girl named Lockyer. It appeared that about a fortnight 

previously whilst the deceased was employed in lighting a fire, her clothes ignited, 

and she was so dreadfully burnt that she lingered until Thursday last, when she 

expired – verdict – Accidental death by fire 

On the same day, on the body of a lad named Henry Budd, who, in getting from one 

of the vessels at the Quay into a boat, fell overboard – verdict – accidentally drowned. 



95

On Monday last, at Pitminster, on the body of John Upham, aged 52. Deceased was 

in the employ of Col. Cooper, an was driving a cart on Saturday last at Blagdon, and 

fell from the shafts, and being entangled by his clothes, he was dragged several yards 

when the wheel went over his body. He remained insensible for some time afterwards 

and expired in three hours. Verdict, accidental death. Deodand 2s. 

On Wednesday last, at Barrington, near Ilminster, on John Follett, an elderly man, 

who was found drowned in a ditch in that parish. Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

At Otterford on the borders of Devon, on Samuel Rogers, aged 72. Deceased had for 

many years kept the New Inn, in that parish, and on the 4 th inst, in going thence to his 

present residence, he fell down, and was found dead. Verdict, died by the visitation od 

God. 


At Timsbury, on the body of Mary Bingham age 51. Deceased went to bed, 

apparently in good health, and about five o’clock on the following morning, the 

daughter, hearing her groan, asked her what was the matter: but, receiving no answer 

laid down again, and did not get up till seven o’clock, when she discovered her 

mother to be in a dying state. Finding this to be the case, she immediately ran 

downstairs, to acquaint an old lady, who resided in the house, with the circumstances, 

and on their arriving in the bed room, found her dead. Verdict, died by visitation of 

God. 

At Shepton Mallet, on the body of John Sibley, aged three years, whose clothes, in 

the absence of his mother, by some means caught fire, and the poor child was so 

dreadfully burnt as to render all surgical assistance hopeless; he survived but a few 

days. Verdict, Accidental Death. 


Charles Young was returning home from Charles St Bristol. Met cart on road into 

Wilsbridge. Collided. Broke legs. Mortification set in. Died. 

The following are some further particulars of the disinterment of a body at Durleigh, 

and of the discovery of a body at the coach office, in this town as mentioned in a 

former paper. The affair has occasioned a great sensation in the town, the more 

especially as a suspicion had arisen in the minds of the family of the late Mrs 

Watkins of Silver Street, in this town, who was buried in Durleigh churchyard about 

a month ago, the grave was opened on Monday se’nnight, when it was ascertained 

that her corpse had been removed and carried away. About 11 o’clock on the 28 th ult, 

a basket was brought to the George Inn, in this town, to be forwarded by one of the 

coaches to London, and was deposited in the inn yard. On the arrival of one of the 

Bristol coaches at the inn, the landlord (Mr Sutton) thinking the basket might contain 

some valuable property, desired some of his men to remove it to a place of greater 

safety. In endeavouring to do so, part of the basket gave way, and one of the men 

from it’s heaviness, wishing to ascertain the contents, thrust his hand into the opening, 

when, to his surprise, he grasped the foot of a human being! This of course led to a 

farther examination of the contents of the basket; it proved to be the body of a woman 

named Bryer, who died in childbirth, and was buried in Cannington churchyard. Mr 

Sutton caused the Magistrates to be informed of the circumstance and an inquiry was 

instituted as to the person who brought it to the George, when it was discovered that a 

man named Edward Barber, commonly called ‘Nimrod’ had carried it there from the 

White Horse Inn; at which house it had been left by a person named Thomas Jones, 

who lived at Durleigh. Two constables were dispatched to Jones’s residence; but they 

96

could not find him, and there is every reason to suppose that he had absconded. It 

appears Jones got a man named Channing (who was hauling some sane to this town 

in a cart) to suffer him to place the basket in his cart, and upon his arrival near the 

Malt Shovel public-house, he took it from the cart and carried it to the White Horse. 

Some doubts have arisen as to whether Barber might not be an accomplice, he was 

committed to gaol for further examination. The remains of the woman were reinterred 

on Sunday. The direction of the basket was “Mr J Jones, Mr Hall, 41 Duke St. 

Little Britain, London” which was written on the back of a doctor’s printed circular. 

On the 18 th ult. A basket was sent from this town, by the Hero Coach for London, to 

be left at the coach office, (Castle and Falcon) till called for. After remaining there 

some days, the office keeper, smelling something offensive in the basket, took it upon 

him to open it in the presence of several respectable persons, when, to his great 

astonishment, he found it to contain a fine male child, about four years of age. It has 

since been discovered that in the neighbouring villages of this town five bodies have 

been recently disinterred. 



In this town, yesterday, on J C Gooding, a child eight months old, who was 

discovered by his mother, in bed, in a dying state, and survived about twenty minutes 

only – Verdict, died by the visitation of God. 

At Blue Anchor Inn, near Watchet, on Mary Moggridge, aged 10 years, on the 15 th 

instant, deceased was employed in a field of Mr Hurford’s, the Landlord, in keeping 

birds and she had kindled a fire. At two o’clock her sister carried her dinner, and at 

about three, Mr Hurford hearing someone groan in the yard, on going out he saw 

deceased with all the upper part of her clothing burnt off her back; and deceased was 

so much scorched that she expired on the 27 th . 

At Crewkerne, on the 21 st instant, on Albert Trone, aged two years, who died of 

concussion of the brain, from falling out of a bedroom window of the height of about 

14 feet. 

And at Spaxton, on the 23 rd instant on John Culver, aged 72. On the 8 th of January, 

the deceased was going on foot, from Cannington to Bridgwater market, and 

notwithstanding, there was an excellent footpath, deceased was walking on the 

turnpike; several persons were on horseback, and going in the same direction, and 

were met by a cart, in endeavouring to avoid which, one of the persons (David 

Tudor, the foreman to Messrs. Watson and Co.) rode against the deceased, and struck 

him down, by which means he received a severe wound on the right knee. In a few 

days it became necessary to call in medical aid, and he was constantly attended by Mr 

Axford, until Thursday last, when he died of mortification. The jury were 

unanimously of opinion, that not the slightest blame was imputable to any one, and 

they returned a verdict as in the last mentioned cases of “Died from an Accident”. 


At Banwell, on the body of a poor woman, who died suddenly. Verdict, died by the 


At Frome Woodlands, on the body of Jas Snook, who was killed by the overturning 

of a cart. No evidence was adduced to prove how the accident happened, as no person 

was present at the time. A Mr Ley, passing by soon after, found the cart turned over, 

and the horse struggling in the ditch, he immediately called some persons to his 

assistance, and with some difficulty got the horse and cart out of the ditch. The poor 

man was taken up quite dead. Vedict, accidental death. Deodand on the cart 4s. 

97



At the King George, East Reach, in this town, on the 30 th ult, upon Ann Sansom, 

aged three years. It appeared in evidence that the deceased was sent to school on the 

14 th , and that, being left alone in the school room for a very short time, she fell from a 

window upwards of twenty feet, and it will, perhaps, appear wonderful, that 

notwithstanding the skull was fractured – the bones of the forehead in many pieces, 

and the brain protruding, and a considerable portion of it lost, the poor, little sufferer 

languished until the 29 th . Verdict, Accidental Death. 

At Huntspill, on Benjamin Lloyde, aged 46. On Friday, the 27 th ult, the deceased was 

employed in racking cider, and appeared to have drunk rather too much, and on his 

way home he fell into a ditch, where he was found, drowned, on the following 

morning. Verdict, Accidentally Drowned. 

Inquests by Mr Ashford, of Shepton Mallet. 

March 22, at Pensford, on the body of Wm. Durnell, who hung himself. It appeared 

in evidence that the deceased had been at work for a Mr Adams of Publow, and that 

they had been together at the George Inn, at Pensford, till late on Saturday night, 

when Mr Adams asked him if he was going to Publow; he replied, he was, and would 

go with him. They accordingly set off together, and, on their arrival at Adams’s 

house, the deceased was invited to take some refreshment, which he did, and in the 

meantime Mr A. fell asleep, and did not awake till Durnell was leaving the house. On 

the following evening, Mr A. having occasion to pay some money to a person of 

Pensford, discovered he had lost from his pocket book £20. The deceased, having 

absconded, was suspected of taking the money, and, after some days, was 

apprehended at Paulton, where he had sent a woman to change a ten pound note, to 

pay for some beer. On being taken into custody, he became very abusive to the officer 

– so much so, that it was found necessary to confine him in the watch house, 

previously to his going before a Magistrate for examination; and in the course of two 

or three hours after he had been locked up, the officer, thinking he would then be 

quiet, went to give him something to eat and drink; but, on opening the door, found 

him tied up by the neck, with a silk handkerchief, to a ring in the watch house, about 

three feet from the ground, quite dead. The jury, after a long investigation of the case, 

returned a verdict of Felo de se. The coroner issued his warrant for interment 

according to the statute in such cases made and provided. 

On the 23 rd at Pilton, on the body of Job Cook, who died in a fit of epilepsy. Verdict, 

died by Visitation of God. 

On the 24 th , at West Cranmoor, on the body of a child, about eight years of age, who 

died in consequence of a severe burn, occasioned by his clothes taking fire in the 

absence of the mother. Verdict, Accidental Death. 

On the 31 st at Timsbury, on the body of Jane Lane, aged 42, some reports were 

circulated of her having been poisoned, but from the evidence of several respectable 

persons, as well as the medical gentleman who attended her, it appeared the reports 

were unfounded, and that she had been seized with a paralytic affection attended with 

apoplexy. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 

On the 4 th of April, at Binegar, on the body of Amelia Rossiter, seven years old, who 

was accidentally burnt. Verdict accordingly. 



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At a cottage in the parish of West Hatch on the 7 th inst. upon the body of Wm 

Humphreys, age 11 years. From the evidence of a brother of the deceased he had 

occasionally used an old gun for the purpose of shooting sparrows, and on the 

preceding Wednesday he had left it, loaded with slugs, placed against a wall in the 

garden, and, from the evidence of another boy, it appeared, that whilst deceased was 

stooping to tie his shoestring, the gun fell, untouched by any one, and the contents 

(the slugs) were lodged in the fleshy part of the arm, whereby it was dreadfully 

lacerated, and deceased lost a considerable quantity of blood before medical aid could 

be procured, and on Sunday evening he died of mortification. Verdict. Accident; gun 

deodand. The coroner observed to the boy, who had been entrusted with the gun, that 

he hoped in future he would stick to his trade (a tailor) and leave the use of guns to 

others who better understood them. 

On Thursday last, at the Black Lion, Bradford near Wellington, on John Gillard, 

aged 46. It appeared from the evidence of a little boy, named Dimond, whose father 

(a carrier) was accidentally killed by a waggon in this town, a few months since, that 

the deceased came with the same wagon to Taunton, for goods, on Tuesday, the 7 th 

instant, and that he had drunk at several places (altogether too much) and at about 

nine in the evening, at the bottom of Rumwell Hill, in Bishop’s Hull parish, the 

deceased, who had been walking by the side of the horses, in attempting to get on the 

shafts, fell, and both near-wheels passed over his body, which caused his death in a 

few minutes. Verdict, Accidentally killed; deodand 5s. 


On the 6 th inst. at Beckington, on the body of Mary Bourne, who was found dead in 

her bed. Verdict, Died by Visitation of God. 

On the 7 th at Wells, on the body of Ann Moyson, who hung herself. The deceased, it 

is supposed, committed the rash act, in consequence of having been disappointed in 

marriage. About three weeks since, the young man, who had been paying his 

addresses to her, having obtained all her money, under pretence of preparing for the 

wedding, deserted her, and has not since been heard of. From that time the poor 

woman had been in a desponding way, and on Monday last, not coming down to 

breakfast at the usual hour, one of the family went to call her, and found her 

suspended to a cross beam in the bed-room quite dead. The jury, without hesitation, 

found the following verdict: ‘That the deceased hung herself while in a state of 

temporary derangement’. 

On the 8 th , at Midsomer Norton, on the body of Harriet Bryant, who was 

accidentally burnt. Verdict accordingly. 



On Monday the 13 th instant at the Ship Inn on Chard Common, John Sharp aged 18 

months. It was proved at the inquest that on the preceding Thursday the deceased was 

standing by the fire, and whilst the grandmother merely turned her back, he inhaled 

steam from a tea kettle, which had just been taken off the fire, and was so much 

scalded that he expired the following day. 

At East Brent on the 15 th instant, on Farmer Benjamin Hudson, aged 36, who on 

Friday last had been assisting a neighbour in removing some household goods. On his 

way home, he was seen riding in the waggon, whipping his horses, and driving 

furiously: and shortly afterwards, about nine o’clock in the evening, he was found in 

the road, seriously injured, on of the wheels of the waggon having passed over his 

99

ody, which caused his death on the following evening. Verdict in each case, 

Accidental Death, and in the latter a deodand on the wheel. 

At Drayton, on Betty Cossens, aged 49. The death of this person was awfully sudden. 

She had gone to a shop in the village, where she had purchased some articles, and was 

apparently in perfect health; and on leaving the door she dropped and instantly 

expired. Verdict, died by visitation of God. 

At North Curry, on George Rich, aged 5 years. It was stated at the inquest that on 

Friday last, the water had risen in the street to an unusual height, and that the deceased 

was seen standing at the mouth of the common sewer stirring the straws which had 

collected, when he fell and instantly disappeared. The sewer extends nearly the whole 

length of the street, and at the mouth of it, it is 14 by 24 inches. Openings were made 

at several places, it was an hour and a half before the body was discovered, having 

been driven by the current nearly 100 yards. A grating would have prevented this 

melancholy accident; but the place is altogether dangerous, as it is only a few months 

since, a gentleman’s carriage was upset there. We understand it certainly will be 

indicted, if not properly attended to before the next Sessions. Verdict, Accidentally 

Drowned. 

May 6 th 1829 


At Kingsbrompton, on Wednesday last, upon the body of John Tarr, aged 71. 

Deceased, it appeared, had been in the habit of taking the letters from Dulverton to 

Baron’s Down House, and on Thursday se’nnight, he went as usual, and left the latter 

place about ten o’clock at night; it was then raining violently, and extremely dark. 

Deceased not returning to Dulverton at the usual time, his son and daughter, about 

eleven o’clock, proceeded to look for him. They could gain no intelligence of him 

after his leaving Baron’s Down House; but on the following morning, the basket he 

usually carried was found with it’s contents, but not in the direct road he ought to 

have come. Search having been made, he was found drowned in the River Exe, near 

the house of one of the keepers of the Earl of Carnarvon. Reports had been circulated, 

previously to the inquest, that deceased was murdered; but not the slightest 

circumstance occurred to the jury to sanction so unfound a rumour. The deceased had 

no doubt, missed his way and had fallen into the river. A verdict of Accidentally 

drowned’ was returned. 

May 13 th 1829 

Inquests by Mr Ashford of Shepton Mallet. 

At the workhouse in the parish of Walcot, Bath, on the body of a young man who was 

found dead in his bed. 

At Frome Selwood, on the body of James Haynes, who, whilst at work, fell down 

and instantly expired. 

At Croscombe, on George Duckett, aged 70, who was found dead in his bed. 

At Wincanton, on W Luffman. Deceased went into the Dolphin Inn, about half-past 

one o’clock, and sat down in the kitchen, apparently in good health, but was soon 

afterwards taken violently ill, and was a corpse in a few minutes. Medical aid was 

immediately procured, and a proper treatment adopted, but without effect. Deceased 

had drunk only one or two glasses of beer there, nor did he appear the least 

intoxicated when he went into the house. 

At Corton Denham, on a child only nine weeks old, who was found dead by the side 

of its mother. Verdict in each of the above cases, Died by the Visitation of God. 

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On Monday morning Henry Aplin a carpenter while employed on the new buildings 

at the corner of Silver St in this town fell from a height of 22 feet into a wheelbarrow 

below, and was so severely injured as to render his recovery very doubtful. 

May 27 th 1829 


On Thursday last, upon the body of John Palmer, aged 39. On Tuesday, the 19 th inst, 

deceased was being conveyed by the tithingman of Cutcombe and his assistant to the 

Wilton House of Correction, on a charge of burglary. On arriving in this town, at 

North Town Bridge, about eleven o’clock at night, he suddenly disengaged himself 

from custody, and threw himself over the parapet of the bridge into the river. A 

person, named John Warren, who was on the spot, called out to the prisoner, who 

was swimming, and admonished him, that if he proceeded in that direction, he would 

certainly be lost; upon which the prisoner replied, that he could not proceed in a 

contrary direction, on account of the current. It did not appear that the deceased had 

any intention of drowning himself, but only wished to escape from justice. He was 

seen in the act of swimming below the bridge, where the water was ten feet deep, and 

was found the next morning, about seven o’clock. Verdict, Accidentally drowned. 

Deceased was an accomplice of a man, tried at the last Somerset Lent Assizes, and 

transported for sheep stealing, against whom he had turned King’s evidence; and it 

was for breaking open the house of the wife of that man for which he was in the 

present instance apprehended. 

Inquest by Mr Ashford of Shepton Mallet. 

On the body, of Joseph Oram, aged six years, who was killed by the explosion of a 

canister of gunpowder, kept in the house for blasting rocks, which he had approached 

with a lighted stick, during the absence of his parents. 

June 3 rd 1829 


On 19 th May, at Portishead, on the body of Wm Kingdom. The deceased was one of a 

party of six, who, on the 5 th of April last, went out in a boat from Bristol, off 

Portishead Point. The tide running high and rough, and the party not being strong 

enough to manage the boat, it upset, and four of the party were drowned. Verdict, 


At Lyncomb and Widcombe, on Emma Cox, an infant, who was found dead in her 

bed. 

On the 28 th , at Wincanton, on the body of Charles Mitchell. Deceased was engaged 

in lowering the road at Anchor Hill, in the parish of North Cheriton, and his death was 

occasioned by a quantity of earth falling upon him. Medical aid was immediately 

procured, and a proper means resorted to but he survived only a few hours. Verdict, in 

the last two cases, Accidental Death. 

June 10 th 1829 


At Ruishton, on Sunday last, on the body of Joseph Persey, who was drowned on 

Thursday preceding, near the lock in the River Tone, in the parish of Creech St 

Michael. Deceased and another boy, Joseph Honeyball, aged 11 years, were seen 

together by some boatmen and other people, on the wall of the lock, about eight 

o’clock on Thursday evening, and at about a quarter past eight, Honeyball returned 

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alone, and being interrogated as to what had become of the other, he said he had not 

seen him, and this assertion he persisted in for a considerable time; but at length, after 

being threatened with the consequences, he admitted that he had heard something fall 

into the water. With much reluctance he was taken to the spot, and pointed to the 

direction where he thought the body lay, where it was found about nine o’clock. A 

suspicion was entertained that Honeyball had quarrelled with his companion about 

some muscles which, it appeared, they had both been collecting. No muscles were 

found on the deceased; but the other had a great many in his possession. However, no 

evidence appearing which tended to incriminate Honeyball, a verdict of ‘Found 

Drowned’ was returned, after an investigation which lasted three hours. 

June 17 th 1829 

Inquest by Mr Caines 

On the 1 st inst at Kingsbury in this county, on the body of Thomas Nevil aged 4 

years. The deceased having been slightly corrected by his mother, threw himself into 

so violent a passion as to bring on spasms of which he died in a few minutes – verdict 

accordingly. 

June 24 th 1829 

A woman named Mary Thrasher drowned herself on Sunday morning at Sampford 

Brett nr Williton. Mr Caines the coroner of Langport holds an inquest today. 

July 1 st 1829 


At Sampford Brett, near Williton, on Wednesday last, on Mary Thrasher, who 

drowned herself (as mentioned in our last) in a brook, the preceding Sunday morning. 

From the evidence it appeared that the deceased, a pauper, 70 years of age, had for a 

long time been much distressed in mind, and that she committed the act under the 

influence of temporary insanity. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. 

Bridgwater. 

Yesterday, an inquest was holden before Jacob Watson, esq, Deputy Mayor, on the 

body of a seaman named Thomas Linden who, on the Tuesday preceding, in 

endeavouring to pass from one ship to another, fell overboard and was not seen again 

until Sunday, when his body was picked up near the bridge. Verdict, found drowned. 



On Tuesday se’nnight, on the body of Emeline Bindon, aged seven years. The 

landlord of Blue Anchor Inn having sent a horse and cart for a hogshead of cyder, the 

man who had charge of it rode in the cart without reins, and when near the inn, one of 

the wheels caught against the bank, which, upset the cart. The deceased, who was 

riding in it, was thrown out, and received so much injury by the concussion as to 

occasion her death in a few minutes. 

At Ilminster yesterday, at the Angel and Crown Inn, on the body of William Harvey, 

aged 89. Deceased yesterday, was coming towards Ilminster, and, near the one-mile 

stone, was met by a horse, which was furiously running away with a cart, and the 

wheel passing over his body and neck, death immediately ensued. The horse and cart 

belonged to Mr W Patch, builder, and no blame appeared chargeable to any one. 

Verdict in each case, Accidental Death. Deodand on the wheel, 5s. 

Inquests by M Ashford, of Shepton Mallet. 

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At Frome, on the body of John Garrett, aged 18 months. A tin cup containing about 

half a pint of boiling water, had been placed upon the edge of a table by another child, 

when the deceased, in endeavouring to reach the cup, turned it over, and was so much 

scalded, that he expired on the following day. 

At Axbridge, on Ann Criddle, aged nine years, who fell from a staircase, and was 

taken up, under every appearance of being dead; but after a short time, she recovered 

a little, and on examination the skull was found to be severely fractured. Medical aid 

was immediately procured; but, from the extent of the injury, there appeared to be 

little hopes of her recovery. She expired on the day following, in consequence of the 

severe shock the system had sustained by the fall. 

At Priddy, on the body of Angelina Savage, aged two years. The deceased had been 

left with some other children in a house by themselves, whilst the mother was hay 

making; in going too near the fire, her clothes caught, and she was so dreadfully 

burnt, that she expired in a few hours. Verdict, in each of the above cases, Accidental 

Death. 

July 15 th 1829 

The subjoined lines have been sent us, on the death of this poor blind giant, whose 

case excited so much benevolent interest in Taunton and Exeter in the year 1826; at 

which latter place a large, commodious caravan was given him by subscription, for 

exhibiting himself about the country. He died at Swansea, on the 5 th inst, aged 24 and 

was, by the faithful humanity of the man who travelled with him, in partnership, 

brought to this town in the carriage, for interment on Monday last, Sewell having 

made it a particular request to lie here, for his grateful recollection of the relief shown 

him during his stay amongst the inhabitants. To the man who brought his remains to 

Taunton, the greatest praise is due, in having done his duty to the deceased. 

Broomsgrove, his attendant brought the corpse in the caravan from Swansea, through 

Gloucester and Bristol to this town, where it arrived on Monday last, having, much to 

his credit, resisted a great number of applications for the disposal of the 

body…..Quick lime was thrown into the grave, and the best expedients adopted to 

accomplish the wishes of the deceased, regarding the security of his remains. A 

Somerset dwarf, named Farnham, only 37 inches high, followed the caravan as chief 

mourner at the funeral….The deceased was seven feet four inches high, and weighed 

37 stone or 518 lbs. His friend, the dwarf, weighed 68 lbs only. Sewel’s dress required 

five yards of broad cloth for his coat, five yards of cloth and lining for his waistcoat, 

seven yards of patent cord for his trowsers, his shoes were 14 ½ inches long, and 6 ½ 

inches wide. 

Murder. 

On Sunday last, the 12 th inst, an inquest was held by Mr Caines, of Langport, at 

Withypoole in the parish of Dulverton, on the body of Mary Reed, about 30 years of 

age, wife of a labourer of that parish, who died on the preceding Monday, after an 

illness of 20 hours. The death of the deceased was occasioned by poison mixed in 

cream, alleged by her to have been given by Abraham Reed, her husband, also aged 

about 30. The man, having been committed for trial, we shall, for the present, mention 

only the following particulars:- Reed and his wife had been married about twelve 

months, and lived unhappily. On the 5 th inst, she was taken ill and said she had been 

poisoned; and on being asked what she had taken for breakfast, replied, “Bread and 

cream”. On being asked, if all the cream was eaten, her husband said, he had thrown it 

away, and dashed the cup to pieces. Deceased continued ill, but no medical man was 

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called in. After vomiting, and being much affected in her bowels, and in continual 

pain, she expired on the following day. It was not until Wednesday that she was seen 

by any medical man; nor were the circumstances made known to the Coroner until 

Friday last. A jury consisting of 17 of the most respectable inhabitants of the 

neighbourhood (principally from the adjoining villages) were summoned, and sworn, 

who, after a full investigation of the circumstances of the case, which occupied nearly 

12 hours, returned a verdict of MURDER, and that the death of the deceased was 

occasioned by arsenic being mixed with cream, and given her by her husband, 

Abraham Reed; whereupon he was fully committed to Wilton House of Correction, to 

take his trial at the assizes to be holden at Bridgwater. 

An inquest was also held by Mr Caines, on Thursday last at the King’s Arms Inn, at 

Winsham, near Chard, on Peter Broom aged 63. On the 1 st inst, the deceased was 

employed in Thorncombe parish, with several other persons, in removing some hay 

which was in danger of being swept away by the floods; and it being very wet 

weather, and laborious work, they were plentifully supplied with cider, but from the 

evidence given it appeared that the man was by no means intoxicated. In going over a 

bridge, which crosses the river Axe, (the division of the counties of Somerset and 

Devon), he was seen to fall in, and, notwithstanding many persons continued to search 

for the body for several days, he was not found until Wednesday last. Verdict, 


July 22 nd 1829 

Bath Herald. 

A man, named George Tanner, who was employed by Mr Boon, plumber, at Messrs. 

Williams, brewers, on the Quay, in this city, to mend some pipes, on Tuesday, slipped 

from the top of one of their large vats, and fell outside to the ground, by which he 

fractured his skull so severely that he died soon after being taken to the hospital. The 

accident was not known for some time, as the poor man fell behind the vat, and being 

rendered senseless by the fall, he remained there till he was discovered by some of the 

men. His widow and five poor children were dependent on him for support. 

July 29 th 1829 


On Friday last at Blagdon, in the parish of Pitminster, on the body of Thomas 

Goddard, aged 67. On Monday preceding, deceased was in the employ of the Hon 

Mrs Welman of Poundisford Park, and on a waggon loaded with hay, when in 

passing over a gutter, by a sudden jerk, deceased was thrown off and received so 

serious an injury of the spine, that he died on the Wednesday following. Verdict – 

Accidental death. Mrs Welman’s son and another young gentleman were both in the 

waggon at the same time, but happily were not thrown off, nor did either of them 

receive any injury on this unfortunate occasion. 

On Monday last, at Wilton Gaol, being the fourth inquest there sine Christmas. It may 

be as well to state that this increase in the duties of the Coroner at the gaol, is not in 

the slightest degree imputable to the persons having the management of the prison, 

but is solely to be attributed to the increase of crime, and the consequent extended 

population of the establishment. In the present case, it appeared from the evidence of 

the father of the deceased, who attended the inquest, that James Commins, aged 17 

for the last three weeks, previous to his committal, about five weeks since, had been 

suffering from violent pains in his head, attended with external appearances of 

eruptions, but that it was not until Tuesday last, that he made any compliant to the 

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jailor or his officers, although it had been remarked that his appearance was rather 

stupid or sullen. From the moment that he first made the complaint to the jailor, he 

was regularly attended by the Messrs Liddon, surgeons, to the prison, one of whom 

stated in his evidence, that the deceased had experienced the kindest treatment and 

attention – and that he died of inflammation of the brain, and not from any other 

cause, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly. 



Yesterday (Tuesday) week, at Watchet, on Mrs Potter, aged about 70, who, on the 

preceding Sunday, ate a hearty dinner; soon after which, she complained of violent 

pains in her stomach, and in less than a quarter of an hour was a corpse! 

On Saturday last, at Norton Fitzwarren, near this town, on Ann, aged five months, the 

illegitimate child of Mary Manning, who, on Thursday morning, was found dead by 

the side of its mother. Deceased had been suffering from cough and difficulty of 

breathing; but on the preceding night appeared perfectly well. There was no evidence 

whatsoever tending to criminate any person; and the jury, in this, as in the before 

mentioned case, returned a verdict – Died by the visitation of God. 


Last evening, between seven and eight o’clock, as Henry Webber, a child, about 

eight years of age, residing with a person named Ward, in Upper High Street, was 

fishing in the stream at the bottom of the Crescent Field, he accidentally fell in and 

was drowned. 


On Friday se’nnight, at Wiveliscombe, on Elizabeth Harriet Dunn, aged 18 months 

who fell out of a bed room window on the 3d inst, and received a concussion of the 

brain, of which she died on the 6 th – Verdict, Accidental death. 


At Clevedon, on the body of Geo House, aged 21. The deceased was one of the 

unfortunate seven persons who went in a small boat from Bristol to the Holmes, on 

the 30 th of June, and on their return, it is supposed, the boat upset, and all on board 

were lost. 

At Portishead, July 29 th , on Wm Evans, aged 31 and on the same day at Kingston 

Seymour, on Joseph Gillmore, both of whom were of the party with House. Verdict 

in each case, Found Drowned. 

At Farrington Gurney, July 23 rd , on the body of John Wyatt. The deceased was at 

work under ground, when a quantity of earth fell upon and killed him instantly – 



Coach Accident. 

An inquest was held last week on the body of Capt Wyndowe, who was killed at 

Bristol by the overturning of the Regulator coach through the axle-tree breaking, 

when, after a patient investigation of the circumstances, the Jury returned a verdict of 

“Accidental Death, with a deodand of 1s”. Capt Wyndowe was one of the heroes of 

Waterloo, where he had a horse shot under him – Bath Herald. 

Melancholy Accident. 

On Monday week, some masons were engaged in scraping the pillars and ornaments 

of the interior of the chapel of the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, when a boy, who 

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was scraping the moulding of the roof, and standing on steps placed on a scaffold, 

nearly 40 feet high was precipitated from his perilous situation to the floor, and falling 

on his back, so dreadfully fractured his skull as to cause instantaneous death. His 

Lordship, with his usual benevolence caused the remains of the unfortunate lad to be 

interred at his expense. 


Yesterday se’nnight, at the Guildhall, Langport, (by virtue of his office as Portreeve 

for the present,) on Elias Beck, aged 13, who, on Monday, fell out of a boat into the 

River Parret, near Langport Bridge. Verdict, Accidentally Drowned. 

On the same day, at Curry Rivel, on John Bray, aged 50. On the preceding evening, 

deceased was at the Bell Inn in that parish, and apparently in perfect health, when he 

suddenly fell backwards and instantly expired. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. 


On Wednesday last, at Batheaston, upon the body of Joseph Nutt (a youth about 16 

years of age, in the employment of Mrs Lidiard as gardener) who, on Sunday last, 

after eating a hearty dinner, went out into the fields, and having exercise himself by 

running about for some time in a violent manner, dropped down and expired. The 

body was opened, and the jury returned a verdict of Apoplexy. 



Aug. 10 at Bedminster, on Jas Hall. It appeared in evidence that the deceased was 

riding in a cart, without reins; the horse set off at full speed, when the poor man, in 

endeavouring to jump out, fell between the horse and the cart, and was dragged a 

considerable distance; on being taken up, he was found to have received so severe a 

fracture of the skull as to cause his death in a few hours. Verdict “Accidental Death”. 

On the same day at Portbury, on the body of a man unknown, who was found 

drowned, the preceding Saturday evening, in a fish pond belonging to R Bright esq. 

the deceased had been seen wandering about the parish in the daytime but did not 

speak to any person. He appeared from his dress and other circumstances, to have 

been a mason. Verdict “Found drowned; but how, or by what means, no evidence 

thereof doth appear to the jurors”. 

At Berkley, near Frome, on Rebecca Edwards, aged 70. the deceased had been in a 

field adjoining her house, and in returning fell down, when she instantly expired. 

Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God”. 

September 2 nd 1829 

Sudden Death – Thursday, as a boy named Joseph Skrine was pelting down the 

walnuts from a tree belonging to a tradesman at Twerton, he was called by the owner 

to desist, with a threat of punishment, and ran into an adjoining privy for concealment. 

The man, on coming up, opened the door, when the lad, either from excessive fright 

or some other unknown cause, gave three deep sighs, and dropt down dead. 


Somerset Assizes Bridgwater. 

Continuation of the trial of Abraham Reed (not Edward, as mentioned in our last) for 

the wilful murder of his wife. 

Mr Westcott examined:- Prisoner asked for the poison quite publicly (there was no 

apparent wish for concealment) and allowed himself to be so seen by the witness as to 

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know him again. The judge here cautioned the witness never again to sell poison to 

persons whom he did not know. 

Robert Stoneman deposed to having had a conversation with the prisoner on 29 th 

June in the morning; in the course of which he remarked to witness, that he had 

“contributed to a great many burials during the course of the year,” and said, he 

“wondered how much he should have from the club, if his wife should died.” 

Stoneman, who was himself a member of the club, replied, he thought “about £6 or 

£7”. This occurred about seven o’clock in the morning when the poison was 

purchased and Reed was on his way back from North Molton to Withypool at the 

time. 

Richard Hole, a farmer living in Knighton, in the parish of Withypool, stated that the 

prisoner worked for him occasionally. On the morning of the 7 th July, Reed came to 

his house, and borrowed a gray horse, to ride to North Molton, in order to procure the 

club money allowed from his wife’s funeral. 

Joan Hole, mother of the last witness, deposed to the fact of Reed having asked her, 

when he was leaving work on Saturday, the 4 th July, if she could spare him half a pint 

of cream next morning. She consented, and prisoner called on her between nine and 

ten on the following (Sunday) morning, (5 th July) and obtained three quartes of a 

pound. He brought a cup for it, which witness examined previously to putting cream 

into it, and found it to be quite clean. Prisoner did not eat any of the cream while in 

witness’s house. Witness’s family, ten in number, partook of the remainder of the 

cream at dinner and tea, and none of them were ill in consequence. 

Ann Quick, wife of James Quick, stated that Reed and his life lived under the same 

roof with her in June last. They had resided in Withypool from Lady day in the 

present year. A wall separated witness’s house from that of the prisoner; but both 

were under one roof. Before the house was a “curtilage” (small court yard) in one 

corner of which there was a mud pool. Witness kept pigs, and Abraham Reed fowls, 

in the curtilage. On the evening of Saturday, July 4, witness saw Mary Reed, the 

deceased who appeared to be in good health. On the following morning, about ten 

o’clock, witness heard prisoner and his wife quarrelling. Witness was in her own 

house at the time. She also heard the sound of shards (crockery ware) broken. Prisoner 

and deceased did not live happily together. In about half an hour after the noise, 

prisoner called witness, who went into his house, and found Mary Reed on a chair, 

apparently in a fit. Her husband was supporting her. She continued in this state for 

about ten minutes, and then requested to have the kettle put on the fire to make tea. 

Her husband procured water. She took a cup of tea, and appeared better. She 

complained greatly of a pain in the stomach. About five in the afternoon witness saw 

prisoner and deceased walked across the court. In a quarter of an hour afterwards, 

witness, hearing himself called by prisoner, went into his house, where she saw him 

and his wife. Deceased exclaimed, on seeing witness, “I am poisoned! I am poisoned! 

Send for the doctor quickly or I shall be dead before he comes”. Prisoner said nothing. 

Witness asked Mary Reed what she had eaten. She said “Cream” and that there was 

arsenic in it. Witness asked where she had got it. Deceased replied “at Knighton”. 

Witness replied “They at Kinghton died not put poison into her cream” and asked to 

see it. Deceased said, her husband had “taken it out of her hand, thrown it away, and 

broken the cup abroad”. When witness said, “They at Knighton did not put poison 

into her cream,” Mary Reed said, “You don’t know what I know.” Witness said, “If 

you don’t tell me, tell somebody else.” Witness asked, if prisoner had eaten any of the 

cream. He replied, “No, I had some at Knighton. I brought home this to her. She is so 

by everything I bring into the house; she says it is poison or dirty. I have a good mind 

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to make a resolution never to bring anything more to the house.” Witness’s boy was 

set for prisoner’s mother. It was proposed to send for a doctor, and Reed offered to go 

for one; but deceased said, “If he went he would never come back again.” No doctor 

was sent for. Deceased was purging and vomiting two or three times while witness 

was in the house. Witness remained about half an hour; she returned a little before 

nine the same evening, and found Mary Reed in bed, complaining of a great pain in 

her stomach. The same symptoms of sickness continued. She drank cold water and 

said, “It was the best thing she could take”. On Monday morning, the 6 th , about six 

o’clock, witness saw Mary Reed again; she was then in bed, complaining of a great 

pain in her stomach, and expressed a wish that witness would go to Mr Boyce, the 

clergyman of the parish, to bleed her. Witness went; on her return, at seven o’clock, 

she met Abraham Reed, who told her “his wife was gone.” He appeared to be crying, 

and had a handkerchief; witness went into Reed’s house, and found the deceased a 

corpse. Witness had two pigs in the curtilige; on Monday they were as well as usual; 

when she carried them their food about two o’clock on the following day, one pig 

would not eat. It was sick, and died in the course of Tuesday night, after manifesting 

symptoms of poison. One of the prisoner’s fowls died on Monday, another on 

Tuesday, and a third on Wednesday or the day after. The pigs and fowls had access to 

the mud pond. 

John Thorne, a carpenter, who had been employed by the prisoner to make a coffin 

for the deceased on the day of her death, proved a conversation that passed between 

himself and Reed on the Tuesday when the coffin was brought home. Witness 

expressed an opinion to Reed that his wife “had not died a natural death,” and, in 

common with the women who assisted in laying out the body, suggested that Mr 

Collins, a surgeon, living at Dulverton, should be sent for to examine the deceased. 

Prisoner, after some hesitation , took a horse for the purpose of going to Mr Collins. 

On his return, Reed said “he had seen Mr Collins who expressed an intention to open 

the body”. Prisoner asked witness “whether he thought that he (Reed) could prevent 

her being opened.” Witness answered “he did not know.” Prisoner said, “If it lay in 

his power, he would never allow his wife to be opened.” He also represented that the 

deceased had a strong objection in her lifetime to a post mortem examination of her 

person, and had said “The person who opened her should have no peace upon earth, 

for she would haunt him as long as he lived.” 

Cross examined – There exists a strong dislike among the lower orders to the bodies 

of their friends being opened. Witness never knew of any person being opened before 

the present instance. 

The clerk of the attorney for the prosecution proved having received some of the same 

arsenic as had been sold by the witness Westcott to the prisoner and deposed that he 

handed it over to Mr Collins, the medical man, who opened the body of the deceased. 

Mr C P Collins, a surgeon, residing at Dulverton, stated that the prisoner called on 

him on Tuesday, the 7 th July, about five o’clock in the evening, and asked him to go 

and see his wife, who was dead. Reed wished witness to go and look at her, because 

his neighbours said she had been poisoned. Prisoner described to witness the manner 

in which his wife had been taken ill, and the symptoms that accompanied her 

complaint, much in the same manner as had already been stated by preceding 

witnesses. I opened the body, prisoner giving his consent after a little hesitation; on 

opening it, I found that the stomach and bowels appeared in a state of considerable 

inflammation. The peritoneum was only slightly, if at all inflamed. I observed several 

spots of inflammation on the stomach. On some parts of the stomach there were spots 

of this sort as large as a shilling; on the lower part of the stomach I observed a very 

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considerable degree of inflammation; the colour of the spots was a rather dark red. 

The bladder and the uterus were empty. There was nothing peculiar about the heart. 

There were spots of a darkish colour in the uterus. The lungs I found particularly 

turgid with blood. The stomach and bowels were inflamed in several parts – the 

stomach more than the intestines – the small intestines more than the larger ones. I am 

now describing the appearance presented on opening the body. I removed the 

stomach, placing a double ligature at each extremity, for the purpose of carrying it 

away. I procured a clean bottle, and put the contents of the stomach into it. I heard 

that a pig had died suddenly the day before, and requested it might be brought to me. 

It was, and it was opened under my directions. I took the stomach of the pig; its 

appearance was highly inflammatory; the whole stomach and bowels were in a high 

state of inflammation, considerably more so than those of the woman. The inner coat 

of the stomach was completely destroyed. There were no spots, but the whole stomach 

and bowels of the pig were in a state of redness. I took both stomachs and their 

contents home with me. I found about three parts of a pint of fluid in the stomach of 

the woman – no solid contents whatever. After trying a few tests for arsenic or 

corrosive sublimate, without satisfying myself of their presence, I thought it best to 

have some one more experience than I was in examining the contents of the stomach 

to assist me and I took both stomachs to Taunton to Mr Standert, a surgeon. We 

examined the stomachs together; the woman’s stomach appeared generally inflamed – 

at the bottom, where I discovered a large patch of inflammation. I found it more 

highly inflamed than elsewhere. The inner coat was destroyed and resembling a pulpy 

substance. We went through several chymical tests, without coming to any 

satisfactory conclusion as to the presence of arsenic, or any other corrosive substance. 

We also examined the coats of the stomach with a microscope, but could discover no 

mineral substance. After we had made every inquiry we thought necessary, I left 

Taunton, taking the stomachs with me. The day after my return I boiled both stomachs 

in water. There was an alkali added to the water. On applying the usual tests to 

discover arsenic or corrosive sublimate, I discovered none. To satisfy myself that the 

tests I used were good and proper, I mixed a solution of arsenic with a portion of the 

fluid contents of the boiled stomach; another portion I left unmixed; and I added a 

solution of arsenic to water. On testing these, I discovered what proved the presence 

of arsenic in the latter mixture, but not in the two former; both of these afforded 

results precisely alike. Mt inference is, that there may have been some animal 

substance in the stomach which defeated the tests, and prevented the presence of 

arsenic (which was certainly in one of these mixtures) from manifesting itself in the 

usual manner. But I do not mean to say positively that there was arsenic in the portion 

of the contents of the stomach into which I did not introduce it. Neither in substance 

nor in solution could I discover any arsenic. This state of things is not inconsistent 

with the possibility of a person taking arsenic early on the Sunday, vomiting 

copiously, so as to discharge the whole of the poison from the stomach, and dying on 

the following morning. The witness proceeded to say that the arsenic might produce 

death under such circumstances, and not afterwards be found in the stomach. The 

symptoms experienced by the deceased were such as would have been caused by 

arsenic. The appearance of the stomach could not be well accounted for from natural 

causes. Witness saw prisoner in bed in his neighbour’s house, about 11 in the 

forenoon of Saturday, the 11 th of July. He complained of being unwell; but appeared 

to suffer more in mind than body. He besought witness to befriend him, and offered 

him money to induce him to do so. Witness promised to do what he could for him, 

consistently with his duty, but of course declined accepting the money. On being 

109

asked if he had ever had poison for any particular purpose, prisoner replied “No.” He 

did not know poison when he saw it. Witness asked him if he had never seen poison. 

He said, “Never but once,” and that it was his mother-in-law’s, where it was mixed 

with meal in a pan; and added “that her neighbour, Mrs Scott, had some also.” 

Prisoner said his wife also knew it was there, and had often been to her mother’s, and 

had occasionally got cream there. 

Mr H C Standert agreed to a great extent with the last witness in his conclusions as to 

this case, and added that the result of the experiments instituted by Orfila and Brodie 

was, that when arsenic was administered to animals capable of vomiting copiously, 

the presence of the poison in fluid in the stomach was rarely detected. 

Anne Colmer deposed, that about three weeks before Mary Reed’s decease, prisoner 

told her “He would go to Winsford revel (a village fair) if his wife died before it took 

place.” Witness asked him, “what reason he had for thinking his wife would die, as 

she (witness) had seen her the day before in good health.” Prisoner replied, “she 

would not live a fortnight longer.” On being asked his reason for saying so, he said, 

“Mark my words, whether she will or no.” Wainsford revel took place on the Monday 

on which Mary Reed died, This was said in the presence of Miss Hole. 

Cross-examined – Miss Hole is not here. 

William Chamberlain stated, that about the time mentioned by the last witness 

prisoner told him he wanted some mercury or arsenic (witness could not say which) to 

poison rats, and inquired if there was a druggists shop at Forelock where he could 

procure it? 

Mr R P Caines, coroner, held an inquest on the body of the deceased, and examined 

prisoner, who declared he had only been in two houses in North Moulton on the 29 th 

June. These houses he stated to be the inn and the residence of Kingdon, to whom he 

had paid the balance of the subscription to the club. The learned judge charged the 

jury, and recapitulated the whole of the evidence in a most elaborate manner. The 

summing up, which lasted more than two hours, having been concluded, the Jury, 

after consulting together for a few minutes, returned a verdict of Guilty. 

The prisoner, a mild looking person, seemed rather abstracted in his manner when 

placed at the bar. On being called upon to plead to the indictment, he made no answer 

for a few moments: he then started and said “not guilty,” in a nervous and hurried 

way. He watched the jury with some apparent anxiety, while the oath was being 

administered to them: during the progress of the trial, however, he did not display any 

particular feeling of interest till the evidence of the medical men was taken, when he 

appeared to rouse himself from the apathy that possessed him at other periods of the 

proceedings. The jury having pronounced their verdict of “Guilty” the prisoner was 

called upon in the usual manner, to say why judgement of death should not be 

pronounced against him: a slight convulsion passed over his features for a single 

moment, and he muttered in an indistinct tone, ”The witnesses hav sworn falsely.” 

Towards the close of the trial, which lasted upwards of nine hours, the prisoner 

seemed rather exhausted; he displayed no visible emotion at the announcement of the 

verdict, and in the opinion of many persons in the court, heard the sentence, which 

was pronounced by the learned Judge in a manner the most feeling and impressive, 

perfectly unmoved. It seemed however, as if the senses of the unhappy man were lost 

in reverie; he appeared in a sort of a waking dream, and remained with fixed eyes, 

leaning upon the bar, until the gaoler seizing him suddenly by the arm, he again 

started as when first placed in the dock, and hastily retired. 

Execution. 

110

On Monday se’nnight, the sentence of the law was carried into full effect, at the gaol 

of Ilchester, on Abraham Reed. On Saturday se’nnight he was visited, at the gaol at 

Bridgwater, by the Under Sheriff; to whom he made a full and satisfactory 

acknowledgement of his guilt, and said he was induced to commit the offence from 

the unhappy manner in which they lived, and that he mixed in the cream which he 

gave to her about an ounce and a half of the arsenic he had bought. On his arrival at 

Ilchester, on Saturday afternoon, he was attended by the Chaplain of the prison, who 

remained with him some time, affording him spiritual consolation. On Sunday he 

attended the Chapel and heard an impressive discourse from the Chaplain, who took 

his text from the 28 th chapter of Exodus v 13, “Thou shalt not kill,” the culprit seemed 

much affected. After which, he (the Chaplain) attended him in his cell, and for some 

time continued in prayer. On Monday morning he was again attended by the Chaplain, 

who remained with him until the arrival of the Under Sheriff, Edmund Broderip esq, 

when service was performed in the presence of the prisoners, at the conclusion of 

which the sacrament was administered to the unfortunate culprit. At half last eleven 

he was pinioned, and was conducted to the fatal platform, where, having joined in 

fervent prayed, for about a quarter of an hour, the signal was given, and he was 

launched into eternity; he appeared to suffer much. He was about 32 years of age. 


Last week at Ham, in the parish of Creech, a child belonging to Mr Davidge, in the 

attempt to get a pear which hug over the river, fell in and was drowned. 

On Sunday se’nnight, the corpse of a man, about 70 years of age, was discovered in a 

dry ditch , in a field between Bradford and Wellington in a shocking state of 

decomposition. A loaf was found near the body. The deceased’s name was Wm 

Sydenham, a person in humble circumstances, who resided at Bradford and who had 

been missing a fortnight. The last time he was seen alive was on the 21th ult when, 

after drinking a quart of cyder, he complained of a pain in his head, and said he should 

go out and take a walk. Nothing was heard of him from that day until he was found as 

above described, by a person who was nutting. There were no appearances on the 

banks of the ditch, to induce a suspicion that he had come by a violent death, it is 

therefore supposed that he died suddenly, from the effects of a fit. An inquest has 

been held on the body, and the jury returned a verdict – Found dead, but how, or by 

what means he came to his death there is no evidence.” 


At the George and Crown Inn, Hinton St George, on Christian Palmer, an elderly 

woman, who, a short time after having eaten a hearty dinner, was found dead – 

Verdict, Died by visitation of God. 

At Berrow, on a man unknown, who was found washed ashore; deceased had the 

appearance of a common sailor, and is supposed to have belonged to the Industry of 

Weymouth, a boat having that name on her stern, having also been washed ashore 

near Burnham – Verdict, “Found drowned.” 


As some children were playing about a coat-pit near Bedminster, on Sunday, a little 

girl, Named Sarah Nash, took hold of the rope attached to the windlass, to shew her 

playmates how the men went down into the pit, and on letting it go she lost her 

balance and was precipitated to the bottom. Instant death insued. 

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On Friday last, Mrs Norman, wife of a respectable bricklayer, residing in Upper 

High Street, suddenly fell down and instantly expired. She had been previously in 

very good health. The deceased was between fifty and sixty years of age. 

An inquest was held by Mr Caines on Saturday last, at the Rose and Crown, Porlock 

near Minehead, on the body of Mr Robert Falvey, aged about 40, landlord of the 

Castle Inn, in the same place, who, on Thursday last, was discovered suspended from 

the span piece of the roof of the stable. James Davis, the ostler at the Castle Inn, on 

going into the stable, about eleven o’clock in the morning, found the deceased 

hanging to a beam. Witness, after calling on a neighbour, cut the cord, and the body 

fell dead on the floor. Witness had not previously seen the deceased that morning; had 

known him nearly 40 years. He was generally hearty and cheerful, except at times that 

he had the gout; but, within the last three or four days, it was observed that he 

appeared different to what he used to be; he did not speak to witness, and was not at 

all like the same man. Mr Robert Phelps, surgeon, examined – Had known and been 

intimate with the deceased almost all his life; attended him professionally. His state of 

health was various: at times he was rather unwell and highly nervous. He was much 

affected by piles and his habit of body was generally costive. He had occasional fits of 

the gout, but none to any serious extent. Witness saw him on the Sunday preceding; 

he was looking pale and dejected, and said his stomach was very painful; 

administered some tincture of rhubarb, and was informed, in the evening that he was 

much better; the next morning heard he was so much better, that he had gone on a 

journey. The following day (Tuesday) he was seen in the shop, attending to his 

business as painter and glazier; he appeared still low and dejected. He was a great 

sufferer from debility of the stomach, and often complained of it, remarking, he 

thought death would be a pleasure to a man so afflicted. He was often wandering 

about like a man lost; the slightest domestic affliction was almost too much for him. 

Witness, told his daughter, he could not imagine what was the matter, he appeared 

such an altered man. On the night previous to destroying himself, “I advised him (said 

Mr P) to repeat the medicine, and send him some, as before; but, on sending to inquire 

for him, was informed he was just the same and had not taken it. I called, and with 

much reluctance he took it in my presence; I saw him again in the evening, and he 

was in a most pitiable, melancholy condition.” On the Thursday morning, upon 

calling to inquire for him, witness was told they thought he had gone a “long journey” 

(!). Mr Phelps mentioned his fears about him to his daughter, and advised that a strict 

watch should be made as to his conduct. The daughter said she thought he was 

deranged, or he would not act as he had done, and remarked, that she thought no 

medicine would be of service to him. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. 


Sept 4 th at Yatton, on George Jenkins, an infant who died from drinking boiling 

water from the spout of a tea-kettle; his mother was in the same room, and only turned 

her back for the purpose of placing a table nearer the fire, when the accident 

happened. 

On the 19 th at Nailsea, on Thomas Cribb; the deceased was sent from Bristol to 

Nailsea with a load of beer, and was engaged in letting a barrel down the cellar stairs, 

at the Butcher’s Arms Inn, when it overpowered him, and he fell under the cask, and 

was killed instantly. 

The 22 nd , at Bedminster, on the body of Kenneth? Harding who, whilst at play with 

other children fell into a coal pit 91 fathoms deep and was …. – verdict, Accidnetal 

death. 

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On the same day at Bath on John Bealis? Who was found dead in a garden house of 

Capt. Renruddocke where he had been accustomed to sleep to guard the premises. 

Verdict, died by the visitation of God. 

Also, on the same day, on John Shepherd, who was killed by a pig frightening his 

horses as he was driving a load of flour through Twerton; the wheel passed over him, 

he was so much injured that he died after lingering two or three days. Verdict, 

accidental death. 


Inquest 

On Friday, the 25 th ult, as some boys were gathering blackberries on Clifton Down, 

they discovered a reticule basket under one of the bushes, which was found to contain 

the dead body of a new born infant. The body was removed to the General Draper 

public house, where an inquest was held on the following day, before W Joyner Ellis, 

esq. Evidence was adduced of a widow woman in the neighbourhood (who had been 

strongly suspected of pregnanct) that she had been suddenly delivered of a child, 

which had died before she had recovered herself, and not knowing what to do with ir, 

she, to hide her shame, had put it into the basket and left it as before stated. The Jury, 

after hearing the opinion of Mr King, surgeon, gave credit to the woman’s statement, 

and returned a verdict that “Mary Canary, alias Kenelly, ahd been delivered 

suddenly and by surprise of the said new born female child; that the said child had 

died from the mother having neglected to secure the umbilical cord;” and that they 

further found, “that the mother had concealed the birth of the said child.” It is not 

perhaps generally known, that, by a recent enactment, a woman may be punished for 

concealing the birth of a child, although, as in this case, the Coroner’s Inquest did not 

find the child to have been murdered. 


Last week at Creech St Michael, a boy named Sharman, the son of a boatman, whilst 

driving his horse, was so dreadfully kicked in the head that he instantly expired. 


Somerset Michaelmas Sessions 

Duty of Coroners 

On the first day of the present sessions the following memorial was presented by Mr 

R P Caines, one of the Coroners of this County, to the Magistrates assembled in the 

Grand Jury Room: 

Complaint of R.P Caines, Coroner, against the inhabitants of Ilminster. 

“Many deaths have happened in this parish, on whom the Coroner thinks inquests 

ought to have been held; but the parish officers declined giving any notice. Amongst 

many instances within a few years are the following, and the Coroner wishes the 

Magistrates to inform him how he ought to act in future, as he conceived whenever he 

should be called on to hold inquests in any such cases, and should decline to act, he 

would be liable to be prosecuted. 

“A young man named Hopkins, fell out of a gig by driving over a heap of stones: he 

was carried to an inn where he expired in a few hours. 

“A child was burnt and died in about three days. 

“Mr Slee was walking (apparently in good health) in company with Mr Hanning and 

another gentleman, and he fell down dead. Mr Hanning, in this case ordered that no 

inquest should be held, as he was present and saw him died.! 

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“A person named Govier was driving a cart or van, and fell off his seat, received an 

injury in his head, was carried home; and died in a few hours. 

On the 29 th ult a lad named Lawrence, was sent from a mill near Chard, with a horse 

for his master to ride home from Ilminster, in the neighbourhood of which place there 

had been a ploughing match, and many persons had congregated together, particularly 

near the Swan Inn to which place he was directed to go; and on his arriving at the inn, 

the horse became frightened, (probably from the noise of a drum which was then 

being beat) the lad fell off and was dragged in the stirrup to the turnpike gate, say 

about 100 yards, where the horse in leaping over the gate left the rider behind, He was 

carried into an adjoining house much injured, attended by medical men, and on the 8 th 

instant he expired. 

“The Coroner received information of this death, and on the 10 th , he went to Ilminster, 

and sent from the George Inn, to the Assistant Overseer who came to him. The 

Coroner asked him (the Assistant Overseer) if he was aware that a person was lying 

dead in that parish who had died in consequence of an accident, he replied that “he 

could not say but he had heard of it.” The Coroner then said, “then you are not aware 

that an inquest was necessary?” to which he replied, “I am only a servant, and I do 

nothing but what I am directed and I understand that Mr Hanning says, when a person 

is seen to die, there is no occasion for an inquest.” 

“The Coroner observed, that he thought Mr Hanning could not have said so, and that 

at all events, he should demand an inquest in this case. The Overseer then said he 

would send the Constable, and such other persons as the Coroner should require, 

cinsequently, the Coroner proceeded to prepare a warrant for the jury, &c, and after 

waiting half an hour or more, the Overseer returned saying he had seen Mr Hanning, 

and that he insisted on it that no inquest should be held. The Coroner afterwards saw 

Mr Hanning with his brother churchwarden, Mr Stayner, and he, the Coroner, told Mr 

Hanning, that he understood the law required inquests to be held in such cases, and 

asked Mr Hanning if the law was different at Ilminster from other parts of the County 

or Country at large with regard to inquests. He said “No, certainly not.” The Coroner 

observed, because he had forbidden an inquest in a case was a man was lying dead, 

where the death was occasioned by an accident. Mr Hanning replied, “I do forbid it, 

and I insist on it, no inquest shall be held, many persons having seen the accident , 

and the young man was attended by medical men, and persons were present when he 

died. I will set my face against inquests of this kind. I have prevented several, one 

about a fortnight ago, on poor Govier. I will not see the country put to such 

unnecessary expence, and I will bring the subject before the Magistrates; at the 

Sessions, I will take the sense of the country upon it.” 

“The Coroner endeavoured to explain, but Mr Hanning replied, “I shall not argue the 

case with you: I insist on it, no inquest shall be held.” 

“The Coroner had previously tendered the warrant for the Constable to the Overseer, 

but he, the Overseer, refused to act, or to have any thing at all to do with it. No inquest 

was held. 

17 th Oct 1828. R P Caines, Coroner. 

The subject if this Memorial occupied the attention of the Court a considerable time, 

and Mr Hanning stated his views of the Coroner’s duty at some length, after which the 

Coroner was called in and asked many questions as to the general practice of holding 

Inquests, and amongst others the following was put by Mr Stuckey, - “Suppose a 

person was now to drop down dead on the Parade, and twenty persons should see it, 

would you consider it necessary to hold an Inquest,” to which the Coroner replied 

“certainly”. 

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The court at length concurred, that they were losing much valuable time in debating a 

subject on which they would not come to any conclusion and on the motion of Mr 

Hobhouse, the Coroner was requested to withdraw. On his doing so, he was asked if 

he wished his letter to the Magistrates should be read, to which he replied, 

“Certainly.” We understand that no official communication was afterwards made to 

the Coroner, consequently he will go on discharging his duties in the normal manner. 


Duty of Coroners. 

We lately had occasion to insert the grounds of a complaint made by one of the 

Coroners of the county against the inhabitants of Ilminster, for refusing a Coroners 

Inquest being held in cases where death occurred in a sudden but obviously natural 

manner. The difficulty of discriminating, in some instances, between cases so 

occurring, and those in which a doubt might be reasonably raised, probably led to the 

prevailing practise of applying to the Coroner in every case of sudden death. The 

motion proposed was to ascertain and bring into practise a course of uniform 

procedure, in unison with the law, and which might render the practise satisfactory to 

the public, by giving general information as to the cases in which inquests ought to be 

held, and when they are not so required. The office of Coroner is of very ancient 

origin, instituted in barbarous ages, when murders were frequent, and the public 

welfare required this public trial by a jury as a mode of inquiry into the cause of such 

unnatural deaths and for this purpose by a law passed in the 4 th year of Edw. I. c. 2., it 

was enacted “That in cases if persons murdered, drowned, or found suddenly dead, 

inquests shall be held,” and the 1 st of Henry VIII c.7, enacts, “That the Coroner shall, 

upon request, come, and upon view of the body, inquire as to the persons slain, 

drowned, or otherwise dead by misadventure.” 

On reading these enactments, it appeared to many Magistrates that the Coroner’s duty 

was not to claim and inquest, but hold one upon request of the parish officers where 

the death occurs; and to secure the information and request, the parish officers are 

indictable, if the body so dead is buried without due notification to a Coroner to 

execute his duty. But it is presumed such cannot be construed to extend to all persons 

who die in their beds, or in the presence of their family or attendants, or where no 

suspicion of violence exists as to the cause of their death. If a line of duty is not 

defined, inquests may be claimed by a Coroner, not on the principle of justice, but on 

the sums he may obtain from the county rates; so would parishes become burdened by 

charges such coroners may create, and which, if resisted, would be found an illegal 

demand, and, added to this unnecessary taxation, a cruel infliction of domestic distress 

is thus brought to aggravate the misery of families otherwise suffering under the loss 

of their dearest relatives. By a reference to the list of verdicts returned, and paid for by 

the county, it will be found that a large proportion of the dead have neither been 

murdered, drowned, slain by misadventure, nor found suddenly dead, but that they 

had died by the visitation of God; and if the last return is made to extend to all persons 

so dying, it is evident the right of holding inquests will far exceed the letter or 

contemplation of the legislature. 

The forgoing we believe to be the substance of the argument adopted in favour of the 

view taken on this important subject. 


One of those serious calamities which frequently attended the setting off of fire-works 

on the 5 th of November, occurred in Wells, on Thursday evening last. A fine lad about 

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14 years of age, son of the late Mr Snelgrove, at Dulcot, near that city, had a squib 

burst in his hand, that ignited five or six others of great force, which he had 

imprudently put into his trowsers pocket; he was instantly enveloped in flames, and in 

his fright, ran into the bar of the Somerset Hotel, where several people promptly 

assisted to cut off his fiery clothes, but not until he was dreadfully burnt from his knee 

to his armpit, spreading from the centre of his back round his right side of his left 

breast; he now languishes in a very dangerous state. 


At Hardington near Yeovil, on Susan Geage, aged three years; at Over Stowey, on 

another child, aged six years; and at South Brent, on Edna Sophia Counsell, aged 

three years, all of whose deaths were occasioned by their clothes taking fire, and 

notwithstanding, in each instance, medical aid was called in, and the best attention 

paid after the accident, every endeavour to save them proved of no avail. It is 

lamentable, that in each case the little victims had been left by their mothers, without 

persons competent to take proper care of them. Verdicts, Accidental Deaths – At 

Stogumber; on Theophilus Vickary, aged 35. Deceased had been for some time past 

in the habit of wandering from home (but not as a mendicant, having relatives who 

supported him) and frequently lodged in outhouses. On the 2d instant, he was found in 

a dying state in a cow-crib, and on his being taken into an adjoining house, he expired. 

At Porlock, on John Jarvis aged 66. The death of this man was awfully sudden; he 

had eaten his dinner, and drunk some cider in a field, where he was labouring with 

several others, and appeared in perfect health, when he was seen to fall, and instantly 

expired. Verdict in the two last mentioned cases, Died by the Visitation of God. 


At West Harptree, on the body of John Wyatt. The deceased, who was very infirm, in 

going up stairs, fell backwards, was taken up in a state of insensibility, and expired in 

a few hours. 

At Blagdon, on the body of Mr Anthony Field, who accidentally fell from a ladder, 

on which he was standing to gather some apples. His son, who was at a short distance 

from him, heard a noise, and on looking round missed his father from the ladder, and, 

on going to the spot, found him lying on his back upon the ground. Assistance being 

called, he was taken home, where he lingered a short time, and died from an injury he 

received in the spine. Verdict in each case, Accidental Death. 


An awful instance of sudden death has occurred within the last few days, by which a 

most excellent and really pious young man is lost to a numerous circle of friends, and 

an afflicted mother bereaved of an only and truly affectionate child. On Thursday 

se’nnight, at Montacute, near Yeovil, the Rev – Phillips not finding his guest (the Rev 

J Raynor) down at his usual hour for breakfast, went to ascertain the reason, when he 

was shocked to discover his friend lying partly out of bed, dead and cold The cause of 

his death is a supposed sudden affection of the heart, and deceased feeling himself 

affected with sickness, was in the act of leaning over the bedside. He had retired to 

rest the evening preceding in perfect health, and had written a letter to his mother 

before getting into bed. The Rev. gentleman was only 28 years of age, and but very 

lately collated to the living of Tamerton; he was chaplain to Wm Langmead esq 

when sheriff for the county of Devon; and was son of the late Capt Raynor, RN who, 

it will be recollected, about 28 years since was lost with his ship and crew – it is 

supposed in the channel – as no account was ever heard of her after, about six weeks 

116

after his marriage. This young man had been Mrs Raynor’s only consolation and 

solace for her heavy and sad bereavement of an affectionate husband. 

Several erroneous reports are in circulation in this town respecting the death of a 

young female, aged 19 named Thorne, in King Street who, it was reported, after 

some medicine given her by mistake at a chemist’s, had been seized with sudden 

illness and soon after expired. We have made due inquiries on the subject, and find 

that there was no mistake at the chemist’s. Steel dust having been recommended by a 

relative of the deceased, who was subject to a violent hysterical affection, the 

deceased imagined, being herself similarly affected, that the same medicine might be 

equally useful to her. She accordingly applied at the chemist’s, on Monday se’nnight, 

when, instead of enquiring for steel dust, she asked for tin dust, which latter article 

was supplied to her, with a particular caution not to take more than five grains; this 

injunction however, was not regarded, and she took as much as would cover a six 

pence (about a drachm) which had no immediate bad effect, on the contrary, she 

fancied herself subsequently better. The next evening she repeated the quantity, and 

soon after became worse, and died on Friday last. These facts having been duly 

substantiated, by a scrupulous investigation of the circumstances by medical 

gentlemen and others of this town, it was obvious that no blame whatever could attach 

to any person at the respectable chemist’s where the deceased was supplied with the 

medicine and where the most careful enquiries were made, and particular directions 

given by the assistant, previous to the medicine being furnished. 

Sir, A few days since, I observed in your paper another paragraph on the “Duty of 

Coroners” and as the writer of that article (which has been copied in most of the other 

local journals) has omitted to make quite a full statement of the Statutes referred to, I 

trust that you will pardon me for troubling you with a few observations on the 

subject:- 

The more immediate cause of complaint by the Coroner against the inhabitants of a 

certain parish was, for suffering bodies to be buried without Inquests where it was 

evident persons had died in consequence of accidents; and he mentioned one or two 

cases of persons dying suddenly, where no notice had been given to any Coroner. 

The statute of the 4 th of Edward I as quoted in the article alluded to, goes a little 

further than the writer has stated, and I herewith transmit a copy taken from the statute 

for your perusal, but I am not aware that it will be necessary to lay the whole before 

the public; the enactment will be found to contain the following words:- “If he be 

certified by the King’s bailiffs, or other honest men of the country, he shall go to the 

place where any be slain, or suddenly dead, or wounded.” And the other statute 

quoted of the first of Henry VIII, does not, in any degree, alter the former, but relates 

to fees, and the penalty on a Coroner who will not endeavour to do his office upon 

every person dead by misadventure. 

I shall only trouble you with my idea of cases where persons are seen to die by the 

families, or attendants of persons so dying suddenly, or by misadventure. It is a 

melancholy fact, that, notwithstanding the “march of intellect,” crime is keeping pace 

with it, and we seldom see a newspaper without reading of some murders or death by 

poison, in almost every way the human mind can contemplate. Many of these persons, 

perhaps most of them, are seen to die, and are attended for days by relatives, friends 

and even by medical men. Would it not then be a questionable policy, were no 

inquests to be held where persons are seen to die – and is this a time to check or 

prevent the law from having it’s full effect? It might be true that, in the Coroners’ 

returns to the Magistrates of Inquests held, there are many verdicts “Died by the 

117

visitation of God;” but I think it will be admitted that it would be better that too many 

inquests should be held, than to suffer one to escape where a detection of crime might 

be the result, it the law had been suffered to take its course. 

It is true the Coroner may indict in case the Parish Officers should neglect to send for 

him in such cases; or, by receiving credible information, it seems, by the Statute 

alluded to, he is bound to act. 

I have considered it right to make the forgoing observations in order to prevent 

persons being influenced by wrong impressions, and, 

I remain Sir, Your obedient Servant, S.P.B. 

By the 4 th of Edward I, Statute 2d A.D. 1276, “Of what Things a Coroner shall 

inquire: - A coroner of our Lord the King ought to enquire of these things – if he be 

certified by the King’s Bailiffs or other men of the country – 1 st He shall go to the 

place where any may be slain, suddenly dead or wounded or where houses are broken, 

or where treasure is said to be found, and shall forthwith command four of the next 

towns, or five or six, to appear before him in such a place, and when they are come 

thither, the Coroner upon the oath of them shall enquire in this manner:- viz to wit, if 

they know where the person was slain – whether it was in any house, field, bed, tavern 

or company, and who were there. Likewise it is to be enquired who were culpable, 

either of the act or of the force, and who were present, either men or women, and of 

what age soever they be (if they can speak or have any discretion) and how many 

soever be found culpable by inquisition, in any of the manners aforesaid, they shall be 

taken and delivered to the sheriff and shall be committed to the gaol, and such as be 

founden and be not culpable, shall be attached until the coming of the Justices, and 

their names shall be written in Rolls. If it fortune any such man be slain which is 

found in the fields or in the woods, first it is to be enquired whether he were slain in 

the same place or not, and if he were brought and laid there they shall do so much as 

they can to follow their steps that brought the body thither, whether he were brought 

upon a horse or in a cart. It shall be enquired also, if the dead person were known or 

else a stranger, and where he lay the night before, and if any be found culpable of the 

murther, the Coroner shall immediately go unto his house, and shall enquire what 

goods he hath, and what corn he hath in his graunge, and if he be a freeman they shall 

enquire how much land he hath and what it is worth yearly, and further what corn he 

hath upon the ground; and when they have thus enquired upon every thing, they shall 

cause all the land, corn and goods to be valued in like manner as if they should be sold 

incontinently, and thereupon they shall be delivered to the whole township which 

shall be answerable before the Justices for all, and likewise of his freehold, how much 

it is worth yearly, over and above the service due to the Lords of the free – and the 

land shall remain in the King’s hands until the Lords of the free have made fine for it, 

and immediately upon these things being inquired, the bodies of such persons being 

dead or slain shall be buried – In like manner it is to be enquired of them that be 

drowned or suddenly dead, and after such bodies are to be seen, whether they were so 

drowned or slain or strangled by the sign of a cord tied straight about their necks, or 

about any of their members, or upon any other hurt found upon their bodies, 

whereupon they shall proceed in the form above said, and if they were not slain, then 

ought the Coroner to attach the finders and all other in the company” – Next follows 

Treasure found, &c. &c. 


Yesterday se’nnight, at Milverton, as a child, about six or seven years of age, named 

Perrot, was in the act of taking a kettle of boiling water off the fire, his pin-afore was 

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caught by the flame, and he was so much burnt in consequence, that he expired on 

Thursday. 

Sir – A substance popularly known by the name of putty powder, and commonly used 

by burnishers for polishing metals, glass, and other articles, has been lately taken in 

mistake, by a young woman of this town, from granulated powder of tin. About one 

dram of this substance was swallowed in two instances, on two successive days. The 

effect of the first was not sensibly injurious, but that of the second, occasioned in the 

course of the next day distressing pain in the stomach and bowels, followed by 

repeated vomiting and intestinal discharges. These symptoms continued with but short 

intermissions, during about forty-eight hours, when violent convulsions and death 

ensued. 

It is reasonably supposed that the substance mentioned was the unhappy cause of the 

mortal event stated. It appears, in the evidence adduced at the Coroner’s inquest, held 

on the deplorable occasion, that the deceased personally applied at the shop of a 

highly respected druggist in this town for tin dust, instead of steel dust, or rust iron, 

the latter of which had been previously taken with advantage. The person serving the 

tin dust, desired the purchaser, with intelligent caution, to limit its dose to five grains. 

This restriction however, was not regarded, and as much as would lie on the surface of 

a sixpence was actually taken, that being the usual dose of the steel dust, with which 

the patient had long been familiar. The small quantity of five grains would probably 

not have proved even hurtful, much less destructive of life. 

This lamentable occurrence attaches no just blame either to the person who served the 

article in question, or to the conduct of the druggist who offered it for sale. 

Reprehensible inattention, however, would seem to be imputable to the authors of the 

different Pharmacopaeias, in not sufficiently distinguishing the granulated powder of 

tin from putty powder, which in correct chemical definition is oxide of tin. In those 

publications, they are both denominated tin powder; and it may be presumed, the two 

preparations though possessing essentially different properties, are but too often 

indiscriminately used for each other. 

In Dr Todd Thomson’s Conspectus of the London Edinburgh and Dublin 

Pharmacopaeis, published in 1827. The properties of the filings and powder of tin are 

thus confusedly described:- 

“Odour peculiar when rubbed, insipid, colour white, softish.” 

The white colour and softness here stated, are applicable to putty powder or oxide of 

tin, and not to the granulated preparation of tin, which in strictness is not a powder, 

and its colour is of a livid or grey hue. The putty powder or oxide of tin, therefore 

appears to be fully recognised in the description here given. 

The granulated tin powder is comparatively inoffensive, and may be safely taken in 

doses from half a dram to half an ounce, whilst the putty powder or oxide of tin is not 

an authorised medicine, and cannot be substituted for the granulated tin powder 

without incurring an imminent risk of a poisonous result. This danger arises from its 

containing arsenic in the alleged proportion of about one eighth of its bulk. This 

estimate is probably over-rated, but arsenic is no doubt a constituent part of its 

composition, and its affinity to the compound is so strong as not to admit of its being 

detached by the subliming or volatalining influence of high temperature. 

From this view of the subject, it is obvious that the public safety indispensably 

requires that the nominal designation of the two articles referred to, should be in 

dispensatories as well as in druggist’s shops, granulated powder of tin, and oxide of 

tin. The former is a safe and may be occasionally an efficacious medicine, the latter is 

119

unknown in medical practice, and of course should not be used as a medicinal agent; 

on the contrary, it is reputed and held to be poisonous. 

Your giving publicity to the above statement may serve as a salutary warning and 

protection against a repetition of the regretted confusion, and perhaps fatal error 

therein recited. 

Yours respectfully, 

Robert Kinglake Taunton, Nov. 24 1829. 


At the Oxford Inn, in this town, on Mary Thorne, aged 19. The deceased, who had 

been unwell for some time, had swallowed, by mistake, about 50 grains of the powder 

of tin, instead of the like quantity of powder of steel, which she had been in the habit 

of taking, and from which she appeared to have before received some relief. From the 

evidence it appeared that she had taken the mixture on the 9 th and 10 th inst, and that on 

the 11 th it was discovered that it was likely to be productive of dangerous 

consequences. The other mixture was then given, but it was too late. On the 12 th the 

deceased became extremely languid, and lay in a state of stupor till nine o’clock, 

when she was seized with convulsions, and on the 13 th expired. On being seized with 

convulsions, Dr Kinglake was called in, who attended the inquest, and gave his 

evidence at considerable length. After an investigation of five hours, the jury returned 

the following verdict, “That the said Mary Thorne had been in a weak state previous 

to her death, and that she had taken powder of tin, commonly called ‘putty powder,’ 

in mistake for steel dust, but whether the powder of tin so taken was sufficient to 

cause death, the jury have no evidence before them. The jury fully exonerate the 

druggist and his apprentice, of this town, from any blame whatever, and think that the 

mistake occurred in consequence of want of caution in the compilers of 

Pharmacopeias, in not distinguishing granulated tin from tin dust, commonly called 

putty powder.” 

At the Ship Inn on Chard common, on Sarah Ann Long, aged 17 months. On 

Saturday, the 14 th instant, some boiling water had been poured into a large dish, which 

was placed near the fire, into which the deceased fell, and was so severely scalded 

over the abdomen, as to cause her death on the following morning. Verdict, 


December 2 nd 1829 

Inquest by Mr Caines – At Pariton, on Thursday last, on the body of James Trueman 

aged seven years – deceased was in a school room on Monday the 23 rd ult with many 

other children and having gone near the fire, his pinafore caught the flames, and all 

his clothes became in a blaze. Medical aid was called in but the child died on the 

following day – Accidentally burnt. 

At Wellington on Friday last, on Sarah Kirswell, aged 65 years; deceased, it 

appeared by the husband’s evidence, on Wednesday the 25 th ult, whilst standing at the 

washing tub, was seized with a fit, and died in almost half an hour – Died by the 


Horrible Murders and Suicide at Bath 

Two murders, of a most horrible nature were committed in this city early on Monday 

morning, by a man named James Beere upon his wife and child! And after 

perpetrating the dreadful deed, it appears he drowned himself in the river. Beere 

lodged with his wife and child at No. 1 William’s Place, at the back of St James’s 

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street, St James’s square; and about six o’clock on the morning in question, Mrs 

Chappel, who occupied a room next to that of Beere’s, hearing a noise proceed from 

their apartment resembling a gurgling in the throat, went to the door and enquired if 

Mrs Beere was ill. Receiving no answer, she began to suspect that all was not right, 

and having procured a light, returned to the room, when she discovered the mother 

lying on her back, with one hand across her breast, and her throat cut from one angle 

of the jaw to the other, dividing some of the principal arteries and windpipe; and the 

little child, about four months old, which appeared to have been lately drawn from the 

breast for the murderous purpose, was lying on its side, with its head nearly severed 

excepting a piece of skin at the back part of the neck. It appeared that the deed was 

committed while the sufferers were asleep, there having been no noise heard by any of 

the lodgers or neighbours, nor were the bed clothes disturbed. Mr White, surgeon of 

St James’s square was called in at six o’clock but too late, of course to be of any 

service. The bloody razor was lying open on a box, by the side of the bed, and the 

case was lying on the dresser down stairs in the kitchen, and with it a lath hatchet. 

Immediately after the discovery of the murders the officers of justice were quickly on 

the alert to apprehend the perpetrator, and shortly after day-light a baker’s jacket with 

blood on it, was seen lying on the bank of the river near Bedford street, Walcot, in 

consequence of which, Mr William Russell, of Walcot, took a boat to search the 

river, and found the body of Beere in the water, near the bottom of Bedford street, 

with life quite extinct. In his pockets were found 13 sovereigns, 2 guineas, and 5 

shillings. 

Beere is described by the lodgers as being a very steady man, fond of his wife and his 

home, and dotingly fond of his child, which he was always caressing when at home; 

not have they latterly seen any alteration in his conduct. All the previous day, Sunday, 

both Beere and his wife were at home, and appeared, as usual, very comfortable and 

happy. 

Beere was a native of Widcombe; and was several years errand boy to Messrs 

Barnard, of Bridge street, where his conduct was every way commendable. He saved 

up money enough to apprentice himself to a baker. His wife came from Frome. They 

were married about eighteen months ago, at which time he resided near the toll gate in 

the Wells road, where he for a short time carried on business on his own account; but 

for about twelve months past he had been employed as foreman by Mr Davies, of 

James’s street, St James’s square. His employer had found him attentive to his 

business, a trustworthy servant in his master’s absence, particularly obliging, and 

apparently happy. Mr and Mrs Davies was no alteration in his conduct up to the latest 

period, on Sunday evening, when he went to make preparations for the Monday’s 

baking. 

The Coroner’s Inquest on the Bodies. 

An inquest was held on Wednesday at Walcot poor house before – Ashford, esq 

Coroner, on the body of James Beere, Mary Beere his wife and Charles Beere their 

infant son. The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body of the man lying 

in the poor house, and also the bodies of his wife and child, at the house where the 

murder was committed. The bodies of the latter presented a horrible spectacle, the 

mother having a large and deep gash completely across the throat, and a smaller one 

just below the chin; the child’s head was nearly severed from the body, the vertebra 

being quite cut through, and nothing but a small portion of the flesh kept the head 

from complete separation. The bed was covered with blood. On a box which lay 

beside the bed was found a razor deeply notched and clotted with blood, and in the 

kitchen below was found a case, apparently the case of the razor, and a plasterer’s 

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hatchet or lathing hammer, which appeared sharpened and newly ground. When the 

jury returned, the first witness called was Mr W Russell, who, with the assistance of 

two men, succeeded in finding the body of Jas Beere, and conveyed it to Walcot poor 

house. 

W. Muckleway, a fellow servant of Beere’s, next deposed that he had lived with the 

deceased 15 months, and during that time could speak as to his general good 

character, and had never noticed any indication of insanity. On the Saturday previous 

to the murder, Beere had complained of illness in his head, and had left his work 

about six o’clock on that evening; witness saw him again on Sunday morning about 

nine o’clock, at the bakehouse, he still complained of illness, and appeared 

particularly dejected and low; he proceeded with his work until 11 o’clock, when he 

said he should wish to go home and left. Witness did not see deceased afterwards. He 

had always believed him to be a fond and affectionate husband, and had never heard 

him speak of his wife but in the best terms. 

Catherine Elizabeth Chappell was then called; witness slept in the next room to 

deceased on the same floor; she heard no noise of quarrelling on the night in question, 

and must have heard it had such an event taken place. She had seen the deceased on 

the Sunday morning after his return from work, taking lunch with his wife 

comfortably and happy; she had never seen any indication of insanity, and coincided 

in the opinion of the former witness that she believed them to be a happy and 

contented couple. The husband of the witness confirmed the above statement. 

This concluded the evidence touching the case of James Beere, but the jury deferred 

giving a verdict until the witness had been examined relative to the deaths of the 

mother and child. Touching this part of the case Catherine E Chappell was recalled, 

and deposed that about half past five o’clock on Monday morning she heard someone 

open the door of the room where Beere and his wife slept, and hurry down stairs; she 

also heard a noise like the gurgling of blood in the throat; and thinking that Mary 

Beere had been taken ill, she got out of bed, and knocking on the door inquired what 

was the matter. No answer being returned, she entered the room, but the darkness 

prevented her from perceiving anything amiss, and again receiving no answer she 

desired her husband to bring a light; upon entering the room with the candle the horrid 

scene presented itself; the throat of the woman being cut from ear to ear, the head of 

the infant nearly separated from it’s body, and blood running from the bed to the 

floor, in a continued stream. After recovering from the shock she dispatched her 

husband for a medical gentleman, and alarmed the neighbours; immediate intelligence 

was also given at the Town Hall to the police officers. 

Cottle, the police officer, stated that on the first intelligence of the murder he made 

enquiry for the husband at the house of his parents in Upper Bristol road; he found the 

mother and daughter seated at breakfast, and on asking the mother if she knew where 

her son was, they appeared much agitated, and enquired of what crime he had been 

guilty. He then told them that their son had committed murder on the bodies of his 

wife and child; upon hearing this, the daughter exclaimed to her mother – “Oh 

mother, then you are done!” 

On the examination of Jane Beere, the girl who made use of the above expression, 

she solemnly denied this particular part of the officer’s statement; but there was much 

prevarication throughout the whole of the evidence, and many things were denied by 

her, which subsequent witnesses (her own father and mother) proved to be fact. The 

evidence of the father and mother, who were examined went to prove that a great 

degree of jealousy and ill will had existed between the female part of the family, on 

account of a charge made by the deceased against his sister of taking money; and that 

122

they (the father and mother) had frequently quarrelled with their son on account of his 

marriage with the deceased, to whom they had a strong dislike; though it appeared 

that she had always conducted herself with great propriety. 

The jury, after many hours patient investigation, at a late hour yesterday evening, 

returned the following verdicts; in the case of James Beere, felo de se; in that of the 

mother and child, wilful murder against James Beere, the husband; who is to be 

buried, according to the late Act providing for such cases, in the church yard, in the 

night time, but without the usual burial service. 

A fatal accident occurred at Moloden, in the parish of St Stephen, in Banwell on 

Saturday last. A child, about two years and a half old, son of a person named 

Pollymounter, was left under the care of an aunt, whilst it’s mother was engaged in 

digging potatoes. The aunt, having observed that a pig had got out of it’s stye, went to 

drive it in again; on her return to the house, she met the poor infant running towards 

her, with it’s clothes on fire, and before she could extinguish the flames, the child was 

so dreadfully burnt, that after lingering till Wednesday morning, it expired. 


Atrocious Murder near Chard. 

The atrocious crime which it is now our duty to record, and which is rendered doubly 

horrid from the cruel circumstances of aggravation with which it was perpetrated, was 

committed on the body of an amiable young woman named Turner, who had been for 

some time past engaged in the lace manufactory at Chard, where she distinguished 

herself by her assiduous attention to her duties, and the kindness of her manner. It 

appears that on Monday, the 30 th ult. after leaving work, she visited an individual, of 

her acquaintance who had recently undergone the amputation of a leg. She left his 

residence for the purpose of returning home about half-past eight, since which time 

she was not heard of until the following morning, when her body was found lying on 

the Ilminster road, about half a mile from Chard, in too horribly mangled a state for 

the power of language adequately to describe it. The head was almost severed from 

the body by a gash which must have caused almost instantaneous death; a deep 

wound, which was inflicted on the breast passed nearly through the body, penetrating 

to the very back; and, as if the blood thirsty purpose of the monster who could 

perpetrate such a crime were not sufficiently accomplished by this he severed one of 

her breasts nearly from the body, to which it was found attached merely by the skin, 

and hanging down over a velvet spencer worn by the deceased. Information was 

immediately given to the proper authorities, and the body was conveyed to the 

workhouse, to await the Coroner’s inquest. Strong suspicion having been excited 

against a man who had lately assaulted the deceased with a criminal intention, and for 

which she had summoned him before a bench of Magistrates, he has been 

apprehended, and in his lodgings a pair of stockings and a handkerchief have been 

found, upon which the marks of blood are evident. He is, therefore, detained in 

custody until the decision of the Coroner’s inquest shall be known. The deceased, who 

is a native of Marshalsea, Dorset, was a young woman of the most unimpeachable 

character, and was highly respected by her employers and every individual of her 

acquaintance. 

Horrible murder near Chard. 

Another deed of blood has been committed close to the town of Chard, of which the 

shocking murder of Betty Trump, about six years ago, a few miles only from the 

123

scene of sanguinary violence in the present instance, furnishes a memorable parallel. 

The statement which appears in another page of this paper discloses the chief 

particulars of this monstrous atrocity, and the following additional facts comprise all 

that at present can properly be submitted to the public:- 

On Tuesday morning, the 1 st inst, at day-break, as some persons were going across a 

field eastward of, and a short distance from the town of Chard, they discovered, lying 

near the path, the body of a female with her throat cut and her person much exposed. 

A stab had been inflicted in the neck, a little below the right ear, and a horrible gash 

on the left side divided the principal vessels of the neck, and had caused immediate 

death; there were also two more cuts through her clothes upon the right shoulder: 

these were the only acts of violence by any weapon or instrument. The circumstances 

were soon known in the town, and hundreds of persons visited the spot in the course 

of the morning. The body being removed to the workhouse, was identified as that of 

Joan Turner, a young woman about 20 years of age, who was employed in one of the 

lace factories. It is supposed that she was attacked by some miscreant on her way to 

her lodgings situate about a mile from the town, after leaving work at about eight 

o’clock on the previous evening. Mr Caines, the coroner, with a respectable jury, were 

most assiduously employed during three days in investigating this mysterious and 

diabolical transaction, without being able to obtain evidence sufficiently clear to 

warrant a committal of any of the suspected parties, and the jury accordingly returned 

a verdict of “Wilful Murder against some person or persons unknown”. 

Great praise is due to the Rev W B Whitehead, a magistrate of the county, as well as 

to many professional gentlemen for their unwearied assistance during the whole of the 

investigation. Immediately upon the close of the inquest, a meeting of the inhabitants 

was held at the Town hall, which was most numerously attended. Resolutions were 

entered into, and a committee formed, to sit daily, for the purpose of using very means 

in their power for the discovery and punishment of the perpetrator of this horrid deed. 

A reward of £100 has been offered for the discovery of the murderer, and a liberal 

subscription commenced for defraying all necessary expenses, the Committee having 

determined no means shall be left untried, that personal exertion or money can 

procure, to bring the criminal to justice, and it is hoped that their efforts will be 

attended with success. This dreadful occurrence has awakened feeling of the most 

intense anxiety in the minds of all classes in the town and neighbourhood. 

Several persons have been apprehended on suspicion of having perpetrated this 

diabolical deed, but up to the period of our going to press, no conclusive evidence of 

guilt had been adduced against any one. 

December 23 rd 1829 

Inquests holden by Mr Ashford of Shepton Mallet. 

At Frome, on the body of an infant who was found dead in bed. 

Wednesday, 11 th of December, at Midsomer Norton, on James Robbins. It appeared 

in evidence, that the deceased was at work at the colliery in that parish; and on 

coming to what is called a faulty piece of ground, it gave way; a very large stone fell 

on him and bruised him so dreadfully, that he survived the accident but two days. 

And on the 16th at Clandown Coalworks, on John Yard, who fell from the landing 

place to the bottom of the pit, a depth of twenty fathoms and was killed on the spot. 

Verdict in each case - Accidental Death. 

The Murder of Joan Turner near Chard. 

124

John Russell, a man engaged at one of the factories in Chard, after having undergone 

several examinations before the Magistrates in that town, was, on Saturday last, fully 

committed for trial, on suspicion of having perpetrated the above offence. Russell had 

been taken up and examined immediately after the murder; but the circumstances 

against him then were not deemed sufficient to warrant his committal, and he was 

accordingly discharged; he remained at large until the early part of last week, when 

further evidence having been obtained, he was again apprehended, and the result had 

been that we have above mentioned. The prisoner was lodged in Ilchester gaol on 

Monday morning. 

Inquests holden by Mr Ashford of Shepton Mallet. 

At Frome, on the body of an infant who was found dead in its bed. Wednesday, 11 th 

December, at Midsomer Norton, on James Robbins. It appeared in evidence, that the 

deceased was at work at the colliery in that parish, and on coming to what is called a 

faulty piece of ground, it gave way, a very large stone fell on him and bruised him so 

dreadfully, that he survived the accident but two days. And on the 16 th , at Clandown 

Coalworks, on John Yard, who fell from the landing place to the bottom of the pit, a 

depth of twenty fathoms and was killed on the spot. Verdict in each case – 

“Accidental Death”. 



At Moorlinch on Joanna Shute, aged two years, who, in the absence of her mother 

who had gone to Bridgwater market, went so near the fire that her clothes got into a 

blaze, and she was so dreadfully scorched that she expired in a few hours. It is but 

justice to the mother to add, that in this case an iron guard was placed before the fire, 

and that the deceased was left in charge of an elder sister aged about nine years, who 

had only stepped into another apartment of the house, during which the deceased got 

between the iron railing of the guard, and met her melancholy death in the manner 

above mentioned. 

At the Rising Sun, Taunton on another child, Elizabeth Callard, aged 10 years, who 

was burnt on Sunday last, and carried to the Hospital, where she died in a few hours. 

Verdict in each case, Accidentally Burnt. 

At Wellington, on Monday last, on the body of John Southey aged about 43. It 

appeared by the evidence of two persons employed with him, that on the 24 th instant, 

in cutting down an oak pollard the deceased was struck by a limb of branch of the tree 

falling, which caused a slight wound in his head, and he fell to the depth of nine or ten 

feet into a ditch. He was immediately taken up, and appeared perfectly sensible, but 

complained of great pain in his thigh and in his bowels. He was carried home (a short 

distance) and a medical gentleman called in, who discovered that his thigh bone was 

dislocated; deceased appeared faint, but particularly desired to be bled, a vein was 

accordingly opened in the arm, and a very small portion of blood taken off. Mr N W 

Langley, the surgeon, thought it advisable to call in a medical friend (Mr Pyne) to 

state the case to him, and it was eventually agreed to see the deceased in a short

Somerset Inquests and Murders 1825-1830 - South West England ...

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